NBC Sports reported, Wednesday, that the New York Giants have claimed wide receiver Stacy Coley off waivers from the Minnesota Vikings. Coley was released by Minnesota to make room for their new kicker on the roster, Dan Bailey. The Vikings also signed wide receiver Aldrick Robinson on Monday which made Coley expendable.
Coley will be reunited with the Giants' current head coach, Pat Shurmur, as he was the offensive coordinator with the Vikings last season. The 24-year-old Coley was a seventh-round pick by Minnesota in the 2017 NFL Draft.
To make room for Coley on the 53-man roster, New York has cut fullback Shane Smith.
The move was expected after the team signed fullback Elijhaa Penny earlier in the week. Penny was added after center Jon Halapio was placed on season-ending injury reserve due to an injury he suffered in Week 2.
Minimal action thus far for Coley
Coley appeared in just four games for the Vikings during his rookie season of 2017 and did not have a reception. He did return one kick for 19 yards.
He did appear in the Vikings' first two games but mainly on special teams.
Listed at 6-0, 195 lbs., Coley ran a 4.39 in the 40-yard dash at Miami's Pro Day prior to being drafted.
College numbers with Miami
Coley is all over the record books for Miami in receiving categories. He ranks second in school history with 166 receptions (trailing only Reggie Wayne), tied for fourth with 20 receiving touchdowns, and fifth with 2,218 receiving yards.
His most productive year was as a senior in the 2016 season. In 13 games, Coley recorded 63 catches for 754 yards and nine touchdowns.
He was named Third Team All-ACC as both a freshman and senior and was named Second Team All-ACC as a junior.
Will Giants look at him as a returner?
While Coley has returned just one kick as a professional (he has two fair catches on punt returns), he was utilized as Miami's main kick and punt returner during his freshman and sophomore seasons.
On 47 kick returns at Miami, he averaged 24.3 yards and took one for a score. He averaged 13 yards on his 25 punt returns.
The Giants' primary punt returner in their first two games, Kaelin Clay, has done next to nothing running back punts.
CBS Sports mentions how Clay left their Week 2 game against the Cowboys with an ankle injury, but he was cleared to return.
He has a total of just 15 yards on his five punt returns and had a costly fumble at the end of the Jacksonville Jaguars game in Week 1. That muffed punt did not allow the Giants an opportunity to have one last drive to try to win the game.