Giants Sign LB Kelvin Sheppard
The Giants have signed free agent linebacker Kelvin Sheppard, the club announced today.
Sheppard, of course, is no stranger in New York, as he appeared in 16 games (11 starts) as the Giants’ middle linebacker in 2016. In those contests, the 29-year-old Sheppard managed 47 tackles and two passes defensed while earning poor overall marks (grade of 39.1 on a 100-point scale) from Pro Football Focus.
The Giants, though, need linebackers — both B.J. Goodson and Jonathan Casillas missed Sunday’s game against the Rams with injury, while fellow ‘backer Calvin Munson is also dealing with a nagging health question. With a record of 1-7, New York isn’t going anywhere in 2017, but Sheppard will give the club experience and familiarity as it closes out the season.
Giants Reinstate Janoris Jenkins
The Giants announced that they have reinstated cornerback Janoris Jenkins. It was just one week ago that Jenkins was handed an “indefinite” suspension by head coach Ben McAdoo. 
Jenkins was banned from the team when he missed last Monday’s meeting. Initially, the Giants said that Jenkins’ absence was excused. Later, McAdoo told reporters that wasn’t the case.
Jenkins’ act-out marked the second time a Giants star has publicly disrespected McAdoo. Just weeks ago, fellow starting corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie butted heads with the coach. He too was handed an “indefinite” suspension for conduct detrimental to the team. And, he too was reinstated after just one week. We know that DRC had some issues with McAdoo specifically, but it’s not immediately clear why Jenkins missed last Monday’s practice.
The Giants are 1-7 after a 51-17 drumming at the hands of the Rams. In the midst of a disastrous season, it’s fair to wonder whether McAdoo will be brought back for another.
In related moves, the Giants signed linebacker Deontae Skinner off the Raiders’ practice squad and waived defensive end Jordan Williams and defensive back Tim Scott. Linebacker Nigel Harris (ribs) was placed on injured reserve.
Giants Place Weston Richburg On IR
Weston Richburg‘s season is over. The Giants announced that they have placed the center on the injured reserve. The team has promoted cornerback Tim Scott to take his spot on the roster.
Richburg, a 2014 second-round pick, has started 50 of his 51 games over the past three-plus seasons. The 26-year-old was productive in four games this season, as Pro Football Focus ranked him 14th among 36 eligible center candidates, and he had similar grades in 2015 and 2016. Richburg hadn’t played since early October as he recovered from a concussion, with Brett Jones taking his spot in the starting lineup. Ralph Vacchiano of SNY tweets that the center is set to be an unrestricted free agent following the season, and he may have played his final game for the organization.
Scott, a 2015 undrafted free agent out of the University of North Carolina, has spent the entire season on the Giants practice squad. With Janoris Jenkins suspended and Donte Deayon dealing with an ankle injury, the team was certainly seeking reinforcement at the position. This weekend, Scott could theoretically slide in as the team’s fourth cornerback behind Eli Apple, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, and Ross Cockrell.
Opinion: Giants Blew It With Whitworth
Sean McVay’s praise of offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth underscores how much the Giants blew it by not signing him in free agency, James Kratch of NJ.com writes.
Recently, Giants GM Jerry Reese indicated that he did not go hard after Whitworth because he wanted to have a “younger football team.” His offensive line might be younger without Whitworth, but it is also porous.
Practice Squad Updates: 11/2/17
Today’s practice squad moves:
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: RB Trey Williams
- Cut: DE Stansly Maponga
Denver Broncos
- Signed: WR Hunter Sharp
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: C Cornelius Edison
- Released: S Jack Tocho
New York Giants
- Signed: WR Kalif Raymond
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/1/17
Here are today’s minor moves.
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: WR Brenton Bersin
New York Giants
- Signed: DE Jordan Williams
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: QB Nate Sudfeld
- Waived: DT Justin Hamilton
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: T Bryce Harris
- Signed: CB Greg Mabin
Washington Redskins
- Placed on IR: S Stefan McClure
NFL Workout Updates: 10/31/17
Today’s workout updates, with all links going to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account unless otherwise noted:
Baltimore Ravens
- T Nick Callender; G Andrew Tiller (link)
Carolina Panthers
- QB Tyler Ferguson, TE Jerome Cunningham (link)
Houston Texans
- WR DeAndrew White; DTs Stefan Charles, Brandon Thompson; CBs Cody Riggs, Sojourn Shelton (Twitter links)
Indianapolis Colts
- DE Joby Saint Fleur; LBs Vontarrius Dora, Max Valles (link)
New England Patriots
- TE Gabe Holmes; LB Jayrone Elliott (link via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com)
New York Giants
- DE Owa Odighizuwa (link via Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- QB Joel Stave; WR Devin Lucien; TE Beau Sandland; DE Patrick Gamble; CBs Marcus Burley, Jarnor Jones (link)
Tennessee Titans
- WR Mekale McKay (link)
Washington Redskins
- DL Jaye Howard, Cam Thomas (link via Adam Caplan of SiriusXM)
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/31/17
Today’s practice squad updates:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: G Jason King, T Steven Moore
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: LB Marquavius Lewis
- Released: LB Nick Vigil
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: TE Evan Baylis
- Released: TE Bucky Hodges
Detroit Lions
- Released: T Storm Norton
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: WR Rodney Adams
New York Giants
- Signed: LB Trevor Bates
- Released: WR Kalif Raymond
Washington Redskins
- Released: T Andreas Knappe
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/31/17
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Activated from injured reserve: LB LaRoy Reynolds
- Placed on injured reserve: LB Jordan Tripp
Baltimore Ravens
- Promoted to active roster: OL Maurquice Shakir
- Released: WR Griff Whalen
Buffalo Bills
- Released: RB Joe Banyard
Detroit Lions
- Signed: OL Don Barclay
- Waived: OL Dan Skipper
Houston Texans
- Signed: T Kendall Lamm
- Signed off Patriots‘ practice squad: DL Angelo Blackson
- Placed on injured reserve: DL Christian Covington (story)
Miami Dolphins
- Activated from PUP: WR Rashawn Scott
- Placed on injured reserve: S Nate Allen, OL Anthony Steen
New York Giants
- Signed: DE Devin Taylor
- Placed on injured reserve: DE Nordly Capi
New York Jets
- Signed: DE Xavier Cooper
- Placed on injured reserve: TE Jordan Leggett
- Waived: DL Ed Stinson
Philadelphia Eagles
- Placed on injured reserve: LB Jordan Hicks (story)
San Francisco 49ers
- Released from injured reserve: CB Will Redmond
Giants Suspend Janoris Jenkins
The Giants have suspended a second starting cornerback this season. This time, it’s Janoris Jenkins who has encountered a team-imposed suspension, Kimberly Jones of NFL.com reports (on Twitter). Jenkins violated team rules and will miss at least this weekend’s game against the Rams, per Jones. This follows the Giants’ suspension of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie earlier this month.
When the Giants returned from their bye on Monday, Jenkins was not with the club. At the time, coach Ben McAdoo said he was excused for “personal reasons”. On Tuesday, McAdoo said that was not really the case.
“At that point, neither myself nor any of the coaches had heard from Jackrabbit,” McAdoo explained, referring to Jenkins by his locker room nickname.
So far this year, Jenkins is ranked as the No. 28 cornerback in the NFL by Pro Football Focus. His 81.5 grade is solid, but it’s a step back from his 88.0 showing in 2016.
We’re still waiting to hear why Jenkins was MIA on Monday, just one day after his 29th birthday.
“As a member of this team, there are standards and we have responsibilities and obligations,” said McAdoo. “When we don’t fulfill those obligations, there are consequences. As I have said before, we do not like to handle our team discipline publicly. There are times when it is unavoidable, and this is one of those times.”