The Giants on Thursday lost a defensive back to the Jets. A day later, the Giants added a defensive player who was most recently with the Jets.
The signing Friday of linebacker Zaire Barnes to the Giants practice squad comes after the Jets signed Korie Black, a 2025 seventh-round Giants pick, to their practice squad. Black did not make the initial 53-man roster, but the Giants planned to bring him back to their practice squad. In the short time he was available, the Jets moved in on Black, who was injured most of the summer and played only 14 snaps in the preseason.
The Giants were taken aback by Black trading blue for green, given that Black knew he was going to be able to sign back with the Giants. There is no difference in money for Black on either team’s practice squad.
The Giants signed Zaire Barnes to their practice squad. Getty Images
Barnes was a 2023 sixth-round Jets pick out of Western Michigan. He played in four games as a rookie but missed the entire 2024 season with an ankle injury. The Jets waived Barnes this past Wednesday.
Putting the finishing touches on their practice squad, the Giants also added offensive lineman McClendon Curtis.
The 6-foot-6, 330-pound Curtis was released by the Cardinals. He started his NFL career as an undrafted player with the Raiders, where Carmen Bricillo, the current Giants offensive line coach, filled that role for the Raiders. Curtis played in five games over the past two seasons with the Seahawks.
Linebacker Trace Ford was released from the practice squad.
Korie Black signed with the Jets on Thursday. Robert Sabo for NY Post
Back in late July, the Giants re-signed Gunner Olszewski after wide receiver and special-teamer Bryce Ford-Wheaton went down in training camp with a torn Achilles. Olszewski, the primary Giants kick returner in 2023, proceeded to beat out Ihmir Smith-Marsette for a spot on the team.
The Giants, as they trimmed their roster to 53, released Olszewski, but it was strictly a procedural move. On Friday, the Giants brought back Olszewski, and he will once again be their primary kick returner after missing the 2024 season on injured reserve.
Cornerback Rico Payton, claimed off waivers Wednesday, was placed on injured reserve to make room for Olszewski, who was named the NFC’s special teams player of the week for his 94-yard punt return touchdown against the Rams late in the 2023 season.