Giants practice squad tracker 2026: Predictions, signings, analysis

A New York Giants helmet | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The New York Giants have set their initial 53-man roster. The next big order of business for the Giants is to assemble their practice squad for the start of the season.

The Giants have until 1 p.m. ET on Monday, Aug. 31 to claim players on the waiver wire. They can then begin signing players to their practice squad. Vested veterans (veterans with at least four accrued seasons) can be signed immediately after being released by their former team, while non-vested players must pass through waivers before being signed to the practice squad.

The Giants can have up to six veterans on their practice squad, and any practice squad player can be elevated to the active roster on game day three times in a season without having to be signed to the active roster or subject to the waiver wire.

The Giants are still (as of this writing) 2.5-point underdogs week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys, per FanDuel. And while being able to elevate a player off the practice squad is unlikely to swing those odds, having emergency depth - or not having it - has played a role in the outcome of games for the Giants before.

The NFL's practice squads are typically 16 players, with a 17th spot set aside for players in the International Pathway Program. For the Giants, 6-foot-7, 318-pound offensive lineman Jarrod Gray seems to be the likely candidate for that spot. Gray is a former rugby star from Australia who spent the summer as the 91st player on the Giants' roster as an International player.

Practice squad updates

The Giants are signing 2023 3rd round pick, WR Jalin Hyatt, to their practice squad per Jordan Raanan. Hyatt reportedly made noise to start camp, but suffered an ankle injury prior to the first preseason game.

Mike Garafolo is reporting that the Giants are signing QB Jake Haener to the practice squad. Unless they add a second quarterback to the practice squad, Haener will be their emergency third QB. Branden Allen was in line to back up Jaxson Dart and Jameis Winston, but was done in by a poor preseason.

Adam Schefter reports that WR Braxton Berrios will sign with the Giants' practice squad with the intention of playing Week 1. [Story Link]

While not confirmed yet, Dan Duggan reports the first four players signed to the Giants' practice squad are, WR Dalen Cambre, FB Grant Finley, DL Josh Tupou, and S Raheem Layne.

Will update as I learn more names, but WR Dalen Cambre, FB Grant Finley, DL Josh Tupou and S Raheem Layne are among the Giants cuts who will be re-signing to their practice squad, per sources.

- Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) August 31, 2026

Here is a list of players who could be claimed, via Jordan Raanan:

Some #Giants cuts who could get interest on waivers.

S Beau Brade
WR Dalen Cambre
OLB Trace Ford
CB Art Green
WR Jalin Hyatt

Deadline is 1 pm (est) for waiver claims. After that shakes out, teams will start assembling practice squads.

- Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) August 31, 2026

Here is Ed's list:

• Dalen Cambre (watch for Arizona, where ex-Giants special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial has that job now)
• Ben Sauls (Arizona, New York Jets among the possibilities)
• Trace Ford
• Art Green
• Jalin Hyatt (speed always gets extra chances)

Here is some early potential good news about Cambre:

I'm told wide receiver Dalen Cambre intends to re-sign with the Giants practice squad if he goes unclaimed this morning, per source.

Only way he leaves is for a 53-man roster spot.

NY Giants practice squad tracker: Latest signings and departureshttps://t.co/ZqqdbCpo2U

- Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) August 31, 2026

2026 practice squad signings

• QB Jake Haener [Garafolo]
• WR Jalin Hyatt [Raanan]
• WR Braxton Berrios [Schefter]
• WR Dalen Cambre [Duggan]
• FB Grant Finley [Duggan]
• DL Josh Tupou [Duggan]
• S Raheem Layne [Duggan]