The Giants have signed veteran safety Brandon Meriweather, the club announced. To create a roster spot, New York waived kicker Chris Boswell. The team also announced that it has placed rookie safety Mykkele Thompson on injured reserve.
The Giants had been on the hunt for help in the secondary after injuries to both Thompson and fellow safety Landon Collins. While Collins’ injury isn’t considered as serious as Thompson’s, Collins’ MCL sprain could keep him out for a few weeks, and perhaps the rest of the preseason. At the very least, Meriweather’s presence will give New York some experienced depth while Collins begins his recovery.
Meriweather, 31, had spent the past three season in Washington, where he appeared in 10 games last season. He posted 36 tackles on the season, but was placed on injured reserve in December after suffering a toe injury. The Miami alum was selected in the first round of the 2007 draft by the Patriots, and has also spent time with the Bears. I’d be surprised if Meriweather’s Giants contract was anything more than a minimum salary benefit deal, with little to no guaranteed money.
Because Thompson is not a vested veteran, he’ll continue to count against the Giants’ 90-man roster because he is not a vested veteran.
Have fun with that. If Meriweather starts the G-Men are in trouble.
Someone like Pollard might have made more sense. He at least plays well against the run, and is just one year removed from a typical Pollard season: tons of tackles, good in the box, not great in coverage. Meriweather, though, offers little positive value and carries a reputation of being a dirty player. Not exactly a positive veteran influence.