WEDNESDAY, 9:49am: The Giants have officially signed Brinkley, the team announced today in a press release.
TUESDAY, 2:54pm: A day after being released by the Cowboys, linebacker Jasper Brinkley has found a new NFL home with Dallas’ division rivals. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), Brinkley has agreed to terms with the Giants, and will join New York’s 53-man roster.
Brinkley, 30, signed a two-year deal with the Cowboys this summer and he said that he was partially motivated by the chance to reunite with defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli. However, despite the fact that Dallas guaranteed him $2MM as part of the two-year pact, Brinkley failed to earn a spot on the club’s 53-man roster this weekend.
A former fifth-round pick, Brinkley started 11 games for Minnesota last season, compiling 75 tackles and a sack. As the newest member of the Giants’ linebacking corps, the South Carolina product figures to provide some veteran depth behind middle linebacker Jon Beason, who appears to be on track for Week 1 after sustaining a knee injury. Brinkley could also provide a scouting report on his old team, with the Giants set to face the Cowboys on Sunday night.