3:24pm: The Giants have officially announced the release of Moore, with GM Jerry Reese suggesting in a statement that the move is “in the interest of both parties.”
2:45pm: Damontre Moore‘s absence from the Giants’ Friday practice has been explained, with Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports reporting (via Twitter) that Moore has been cut by the team. According to Dan Graziano of ESPN.com (via Twitter), the Giants made the decision after Moore violated team rules, though the nature of the violation isn’t yet known.
Moore, 23, was a third-round pick in the 2013 draft, selected by the Giants 81st overall. The Texas A&M product has been a part-time contributor since then, recording 32 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 2014, with 17 tackles and three sacks so far this season.
While those aren’t exactly eye-popping numbers, they stack up well compared to some of New York’s other defenders — the team has been starved for pass rushers, and Robert Ayers, who has four sacks, is the only Giant who has gotten to the quarterback more often than Moore.
If Moore clears waivers, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent, with the ability to sign anywhere. However, depending on the nature of his rules violation, he could be a popular waiver target. The third-year defensive end remains under contract through the 2016 season, with salaries and cap hits under $1MM this year and next, so a team that claims him would do so at a minimal cost.
Seems like a nice rotational fit for any team but I hope the details come out on why we was waived