The New York Giants are reuniting with linebacker Jaylon Smith.
Smith’s agent, Doug Hendrickson, revealed on Monday evening that the veteran will return to the Giants. He will join the team’s practice squad.
Let’s go get it- @thejaylonsmith @Giants best is yet to come!
— Doug Hendrickson (@DHendrickson41) September 19, 2022
Smith was a second-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in the 2016 NFL draft. However, he spent his rookie season on injured reserve after tearing two ligaments in his knee while playing in the Fiesta Bowl as a member of Notre Dame.
In 2017, Smith returned to the field and has not missed another game due to injury since. He’s appeared in 74 games with 58 starts, recording 536 tackles (330 solo, 21 for a loss), six forced fumbles, 16 QB hits, 10.0 sacks, 21 passes defensed and two interceptions.
Smith was named to the Pro Bowl in 2019.
After being leapfrogged on the roster by Micah Parsons early in 2021, the Cowboys released Smith. He went on to sign with the Green Bay Packers in early October, appeared in two games and then was released in November. The Giants picked him up in mid-December.
Smith appeared in four games (two starts) for the Giants, recording 19 tackles, one QB hit, one sack and one pass defensed.
In order to clear room for Smith, the Giants released offensive lineman KC McDermott from the practice squad.