New York Giants sign LB Jaylon Smith to practice squad

The New York Giants have re-signed linebacker Jaylen Smith to the practice squad. The news was first announced by his agent, Doug Hendrickson, earlier this week. His signing came ahead of the game against the Dallas Cowboys.

The veteran LB wrapped up his 2021 season after playing for three different teams. He had an a-little-over-four-season-stint with the Cowboys and a brief visit to the Green Bay Packers before he made his way to Big Apple.

The 2019 Pro Bowler was released from the Cowboys last October after spending less than three years of his five-year, $64 million contract extension, signed with the franchise in August 2019. His departure from Dallas was tied to his refusal to waive the injury guarantee clause in his contract.

The franchise was running low on cash and was in slight discomfort with Smith’s injury guarantee salary worth 9.2 million. If the LB were to suffer a serious injury that might cause him to fail the physical test in March the following year, then Smith would be eligible to claim what was due. Since he refused to waive it, the franchise eventually released him.

Smith was signed in 2016 to play in Dallas but only debuted the following year as he was recovering from torn ACL and MCL sustained in a college game. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish product was sidelined the entire season.

Since 2017, Smith has played 68 games and started 56. He made 493 combined and 304 solo tackles to add to his 199 assists.

In New York, Smith had been signed to the team’s practice squad last year on December 17 before being promoted to the main lineup three days later. The promotion was carried out as a preparation to take on the Cowboys. Under former coach Joe Judge, the 27-year-old started in two out of four games played and made 19 combined and 12 solo tackles.