The Giants added a former high draft pick in the hope of boosting their receivers and returners.
No, not Corey Coleman, who fits the description, but remains stuck on the team’s practice squad.
Instead, the opportunity went to Dante Pettis, whom the Giants claimed Wednesday off waivers from the 49ers. Pettis will not be available for Sunday’s game because he has to go through the COVID-19 entry protocol. He will not count against the roster until he enters the building — which will happen no earlier than Tuesday.
A second-round pick in 2018 out of Washington, Pettis never found his footing with the 49ers because of injuries and ball-security issues. He totaled 38 catches for 576 yards and seven touchdowns with three fumbles in 28 games for San Francisco. He played just 66 snaps this season as part of a depleted receiving corps.
Pettis set the NCAA record with nine punt-return touchdowns at Washington and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.32 seconds before the NFL draft. He fielded only one kickoff and 11 punts during his time with the 49ers, but should get the opportunity to do both with the Giants, who have cycled through Jabrill Peppers, Dion Lewis, Corey Ballentine and Golden Tate without much impact.
The Jets, who hold the NFL’s top waiver priority and are desperate for playmaking receivers, passed on Pettis. The Giants assumed the rest of Pettis’ contract, which will cost them about $1.4 million through 2021.
RB Devonta Freeman (ankle) and CB Ryan Lewis (hamstring) did not practice after neither played Monday against the Buccaneers. LB Devante Downs (shoulder), LB Blake Martinez (hamstring), S Logan Ryan (hip) and WR Sterling Shepard (shoulder/toe) were limited.
“We will see Devonta with the trainers a little bit more moving around,” coach Joe Judge said before practice. “Made a lot of progress. The ability to get him on the grass and move him around kind of gives us a better window into where he may be going into Sunday.”
But the Giants’ decision Wednesday to protect Alfred Morris (who had eight carries for 28 yards backing up Wayne Gallman on Monday) from being signed off the practice squad suggests there is concern Freeman will miss a second straight game.
Will Hernandez remains on the COVID-19/restricted list and the starting left guard is in jeopardy of missing a second straight game.
“Will can have his arm hanging off by a limb and he would tell you he feels good and he’s ready to roll,” Judge said. “We’re going to rely on the testing and the symptoms moving forward. We have a close monitor on that. We have to keep him separate from the rest of our team to make sure we avoid any kind of spread.”