The New York Giants signed veteran offensive guard Justin Pugh to their practice squad, multiple media outlets reported on Tuesday.
The reported move comes one day after the Giants allowed 11 sacks for 67 yards in a 24-3 setback to the Seattle Seahawks.
Pugh, 33, spent his first five seasons with New York after the Giants selected him with the 19th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. He then spent the next five campaigns with the Arizona Cardinals, although his 2022 season came to an end after five games following a torn ACL.
“I still got some good snaps in me,” Pugh said in September, per the New York Post. “If you look at what I’ve done my last few years in Arizona, I’m one of the best pass-protecting left guards in football. Run game, I’m not this big, huge mauler. That’s why (former Giants general manager) Dave Gettleman let me go, because I wasn’t a 330-pound road grader but that’s not what the NFL is anymore. I think I bring a lot to the table in terms of my play and what I do off the field.”
The Giants’ offensive line has been decimated by injury. Left tackle Andrew Thomas has missed the past three games with a strained hamstring, while rookie center John Michael Schmitz (shoulder) and guard Shane Lemieux (groin) exited with injuries on Monday.
–Field Level Media