Giants 2021 Roster Cutdown Tracker: Team reducing to 53 by Tuesday

The Giants must shrink their roster to 53 players by Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. ET. Who will be leaving the active roster?

The annual cutdown date has arrived.

By Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. ET, the Giants must shrink their active roster to 53 players. Thus, some of the individuals you saw in the preseason games may eventually move on to other teams, while others could have their careers ended.

It’s a sad day for many, but unfortunately, a mandatory one around the league.

Who will the Giants be cutting ahead of the deadline?

OL Chad Slade

#Giants are waiving G Chad Slade.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 31, 2021

CB Madre Harper

The #Giants are releasing CB Madre Harper, source said. He played in nine games for them last year.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 31, 2021

The Giants are higher on rookie corner Rodarius Williams, who impressed during the preseason after he was drafted in the sixth round.

TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart

The Giants have cut TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart and LB Niko Lalas.

— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) August 31, 2021

There’s a chance the Giants sign Nakia Griffin-Stewart to the practice squad given some uncertainties at tight end (Evan Engram is dealing with a calf injury and Kyle Rudolph is coming off foot surgery).

LB Niko Lalos

The #Giants have released Niko Lalos, #NFL source says.

— Matt Lombardo (@MattLombardoNFL) August 31, 2021

WR (and DB) Matt Cole

WR Matt Cole is being waived, per source. Young WR out of McKendree showed some versatility and flashed on special teams.

— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) August 31, 2021

WR David Sills

The #Giants are waiving WR David Sills, per source. Had a strong preseason. Another to watch on waivers.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 31, 2021

While many fans were hoping Sills would make the final roster, the former West Virginia standout will not be on the final 53. Maybe another stint on the practice squad?

QB Brian Lewerke

The #Giants have released 3rd string QB Brian Lewerke, per source. Was signed late but showed some toughness and good stuff in the second preseason game in Cleveland. Will see if he lands on practice squad

— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) August 31, 2021

WR Damion Willis 

The #Giants cut WR Damion Willis, per source, but he could end up back on the practice squad. Caught two TDs this preseason and had a solid camp.

— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) August 31, 2021

RB Corey Clement

Here’s one: The #Giants have released veteran RB Corey Clement, per source.

— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) August 31, 2021

The release of Corey Clement paved the way for rookie running back Gary Brightwell to make the team.

WR Alex Bachman (Injured Reserve)

Giants WRs Alex Bachman and Alex Mack were both placed on season-ending injured reserve.

— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) August 31, 2021

WR Austin Mack (Injured Reserve)

Giants WRs Alex Bachman and Alex Mack were both placed on season-ending injured reserve.

— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) August 31, 2021

LB Devante Downs

The Giants are releasing LB Devonte Downs, per source. Started 8 games for them last season. Found himself out of favor after Reggie Ragland was signed as a free agent and Carter Coughlin made the transition to ILB.

— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) August 31, 2021

A Devante Downs cut leads to Reggie Ragland making the final roster.

DL Willie Henry

The #Giants have released defensive lineman Willie Henry, per #NFL source. Henry could find his way back onto the practice squad.

— Matt Lombardo (@MattLombardoNFL) August 31, 2021

DE Ifeadi Odenigbo

DL Ifeadi Odenigbo is being released, per source. Guaranteed $1 million this offseason. Was just never a fit with Giants. Had 10.5 sacks previous two years combined in Minnesota.

— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) August 31, 2021

OL Brett Heggie

Giants waived depth center/guard Brett Heggie, per source, as @DDuggan21 said

— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) August 31, 2021

OL Jake Burton

Also cut by the Giants: DE Willie Henry and OL Jake Burton, per sources.

— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) August 31, 2021

OL Jackson Barton

#Giants have waived OT Jackson Barton, per source. Had a very, very good camp. But it’s Thomas, Peart & Solder ahead of him.

— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) August 31, 2021

OL Jonotthan Harrison, Kenny Wiggins

A couple I missed along the way: Giants cutting C Jonotthan Harrison and G Kenny Wiggins, per @DDuggan21.

As I keep saying, the Giants were not at all happy with their O-line depth. They're still stinging from those retirements of Zach Fulton and Joe Looney.

— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) August 31, 2021

The release of all these offensive linemen comes in the midst of two trades for alternative “hog mollies.” The Giants traded for Bengals interior lineman Billy Price Monday before acquiring interior lineman Ben Bredeson from the Ravens Tuesday.

DB Jordyn Peters

#Giants are waiving DB/safety Jordyn Peters, per source. But they were impressed with him, especially with how he handled his first live action in two weeks jumping right in for 35 snaps Sunday vs Patriots (had been released two weeks prior).

— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) August 31, 2021

TE Jake Hausmann

#Giants are waiving TE Jake Hausmann, per source. They are EXTREMELY thin at tight end. There will be moves.

— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) August 31, 2021

S Chris Johnson

The Giants are releasing S Chris Johnson.

Also cut: TE Jake Hausmann, as @PLeonardNYDN reported.

— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) August 31, 2021

OL Ted Larsen (Injured Reserve)

O line updates: Ted Larsen was placed on injured reserve. His season is over. Kenny Wiggins, Jonotthan Harrison and Jake Burton all were waived, as @DDuggan21 said. #Giants

— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) August 31, 2021

LS Casey Kreiter

CB Aaron Robinson will open the season on the PUP list.

LS Casey Kreiter was cut but will re-sign. #Giants

— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) August 31, 2021

DT David Moa

The #Giants have waived David Moa, per #NFL source.

— Matt Lombardo (@MattLombardoNFL) August 31, 2021

DT Elijah Qualls

Some more moves for the Giants. They have cut DL David Moa and Elijah Qualls.

CB Aaron Robinson will remain on the PUP list to start the season.

OL Ted Larsen was placed on season-ending injured reserve.

LS Casey Kreiter was cut, but is expected to re-sign with the Giants.

— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) August 31, 2021

OLB Ryan Anderson

The Giants also cut LB Ryan Anderson, rather than stash him while he serves his six-game suspension for PEDs.

— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) August 31, 2021

Ryan Anderson was a long shot to make the team, and this recent suspension made his path to a roster spot that much rockier.