The New York Giants continue to tinker with their roster, as 247Sports is reporting that the team is adding fullback Elijhaa Penny. He was stashed on the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad this year but will now be on the Giants' 53-man roster. New York had an open roster spot after it was announced that starting center Jon Halalpio would miss the rest of the season with a broken ankle/leg. Halapio suffered the significant injury in last Sunday's loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
While Penny would fill that open roster spot, it is highly unlikely that the team will keep two fullbacks on the team.
Shane Smith's job with the Giants is in jeopardy after struggling while playing just four snaps in Week 2. Former Giants offensive lineman David Diehl criticized Smith on his blitz pickups, stating that two of the sacks allowed by New York were on him.
Brief look at Penny
The 25-year-old Penny went undrafted out of Idaho in the 2016 NFL Draft. He was signed by the Cardinals and spent his first year out of college on their practice squad. He made the Arizona team in 2017 and played in all 16 games last season. The fullback received 32 carries on the year and totaled 124 yards with two touchdowns. He caught four passes for an additional 38 yards.
26 of Penny's 32 carries came in their final three games as the team was without running backs David Johnson and Adrian Peterson due to injuries.
Penny rushed for 1,159 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior and 589 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior while at Idaho. He is the older brother of Seattle Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny, who was selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Yet another change to the Giants' original 52-man roster
The Giants have been quite busy picking up new players since 52-man rosters for the regular season needed to be completed on September 1.
Two days later, New York picked up six new players on waivers: wide receiver/returner Kaelin Clay, center Spencer Pulley, defensive end Mario Edwards Jr., cornerback Antonio Hamilton, cornerback Mike Jordan, and cornerback Kamrin Moore.
A few days later, the Giants claimed defensive tackle John Jenkins off waivers and signed linebacker Nate Stupar.
While one can credit the Giants' front office for continuously looking to improve the roster, it hasn't translated into success on the field yet as they sit with an 0-2 record. New York heads out on the road to take on the Houston Texans (also 0-2) this Sunday.