12:05pm: The Giants have officially activated Vereen. To make room on the roster, the team has released offensive lineman Adam Gettis.
The 28-year-old played in three games for the Giants this season, including a start during the team’s Week 12 win over the Browns. Gettis could land back on the practice squad, where he has spent the majority of the season.
10:44am: The Giants should see the return of an offensive weapon for this weekend’s matchup against the Cowboys. According to NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo (via Twitter), the Giants are expected to activate running back Shane Vereen from the injured reserve.
Vereen returned to practice in late November after having injured his triceps during the Giants’ Week 3 loss to the Redskins. Vereen was subsequently placed on the injured reserve, and initial thought was that the 27-year-old would be out for the season. Up to that point, Vereen had rushed for 147 yards and one touchdown on 31 carries, and he added another eight receptions for 75 yards. Following four seasons with the Patriots, the speedy running back joined the Giants prior to the 2015 season, and he finished his first season in New York with 59 receptions for 495 yards and four scores.
During Vereen’s absence, the Giants have leaned on Bobby Rainey as their top reserve pass-catching back. Rainey, starter Rashad Jennings, and Paul Perkins have combined for 58 receptions, 483 receiving yards, and one touchdown reception this season. For what it’s worth, the Giants running backs have compiled the second-fewest rushing yards (930) and the second-fewest rushing touchdowns (five) in 2016. Vereen’s production mostly comes through the air, but his career 4.3-yards per rushing attempt is significantly higher than Perkins’ team-leading 3.7-yards per attempt.
In other Giants injury news, ESPN’s Jordan Raanan tweets that starting left guard Justin Pugh will not be returning to the lineup for tomorrow’s game. The lineman hasn’t played since spraining his MCL during the team’s Week 9 win over the Eagles. Marshall Newhouse and Brett Jones have seen the majority of the left guard snaps in Pugh’s absence.