New York Giants sign linebacker Jaylon Smith to 53 man roster
The New York Giants have officially signed linebacker Jaylon Smith to their 53 man roster. Smith’s agent, Doug Hendrickson, announced the move via Twitter on Monday afternoon.
Smith was originally signed to the Giants’ practice squad to help out with the COVID-19 problems running through the organization. Now, with another injury at the linebacker position, Smith will get to close out the season in New York.
In Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys, the linebacker recorded three tackles, with two being solo. Smith played 17 snaps in the game, the most he’s played since Week 6. Also, it was the first time Smith was facing off against his former team after being released earlier in the season.
During his time in Dallas, Smith started every game from 2018-20 and earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2019. However, the 26-year-old fell behind on the depth chart in 2021, starting just two of the six games he played with the Cowboys. Drafting Micah Parsons was one of, if not the reason Smith saw his time end in Dallas.
The Green Bay Packers quickly signed Smith and saw him appear in two games against the Chicago Bears and the Washington Football Team. He had been out of the league for seven weeks before the Giants decided to sign him to the practice squad.
Jaylon Smith celebrates with Dallas Cowboys during game
The NFC East is beginning to heat up in the month of December, with the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants facing off on Sunday afternoon. In what was a frustrating offensive performance for both teams, Dallas came out on top 21-6.
Whenever going to kneel and run out the clock, the entire Cowboys offense does the Landry Shift before the snap. It’s a tribute to legendary head coach Tom Landry, who won two Super Bowls with the franchise.
However, it was not just Dallas players participating on Sunday.
Giants linebacker Jaylon Smith was seen participating in the tradition, despite being on the losing end. He threw a rather larger fist bump as well, seemingly enthused. You can watch the full sequence here.
You can take Jaylon Smith out of the Dallas Cowboys but you can never take the Dallas Cowboys out of Jaylon Smith apparently.