The New York Giants enter Sunday night’s primetime showdown already feeling the weight of desperation. At 0–2, every decision carries extra weight, and Saturday’s roster tweaks underscored how thin Brian Daboll’s margin for error has become.
One of the headline moves was promoting edge rusher Tomon Fox to the active roster. The undrafted UNC product logged 207 snaps for the Giants last year, finishing with just three pressures and five sacks. While his numbers weren’t eye-catching, the team values his energy and depth — especially with Chauncey Golston out. Fox might not be a difference-maker yet, but in a matchup where Patrick Mahomes could force extended defensive series, having another edge presence could prove valuable.
Xavier Gipson’s short stay
To make room, the Giants waived return specialist Xavier Gipson, who had only just been picked up from the Jets. His release reflects a shift in priorities: while special teams play matters, the defense is too banged up to justify keeping him. It’s another example of how fleeting NFL roster spots can be — one week you’re part of the plan, the next you’re gone.
Reinforcements from the practice squad
The team also elevated linebacker Neville Hewitt and defensive lineman Elijah Garcia. Hewitt’s promotion was expected, with Micah McFadden sidelined for weeks and Darius Muasau in concussion protocol. As a veteran with starting experience, he offers stability at a thinned-out position.
Garcia, meanwhile, earned his chance after a strong showing against Dallas, where he recorded one of the team’s few defensive highlights with a sack. His ability to collapse the pocket makes him a useful option against a quarterback like Mahomes. This call-up feels like a reward for momentum — ride the “hot hand” while it lasts.
A team under pressure
At 0–2, every roster move feels bigger than it is. The Giants aren’t expecting Fox to reinvent the pass rush or Garcia to anchor the line, but they’re hoping these adjustments help plug gaps until the roster gets healthier.
The urgency is undeniable: falling to 0–3 would not only deepen their hole in the standings but also ramp up pressure inside the building. The Giants are running out of chances, and each loss brings them closer to decisions that could reshape the franchise.