GameDay notes: Aaron Ross placed on IR

Veteran cornerback Aaron Ross was placed on injured reserve Saturday by the New York Giants as part of a roster shuffle made in advance of Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Offensive lineman Dallas Reynolds, signed earlier in the week, was waived.

In their place the Giants added safety Will Hill, who missed the first four games while serving a suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, and promoted rookie cornerback Charles James from the practice squad.

Ross, 31, left last Sunday's game vs. the Kansas City Chiefs -- one he started -- with a back injury. Ross, the Giants' first-round pick in 2007, spent five seasons with New York before going to the Jacksonville Jaguars as a free agent in 2012. He returned this season after being cut by Jacksonville.

Why did the Giants choose to place Ross on IR? Ralph Vacchiano of the Daily News explains:

Aaron Ross was told back injury could keep him out anywhere from 2-8 weeks. Giants needed roster spot and couldn't wait out vague timeframe.

— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoNYDN) October 5, 2013

James is an undrafted free agent who had an impressive training camp and preseason, earning a spot on the practice squad.

I did answer five questions for Bleeding Green Nation this week. Here is that interview. Speaking of BGN, they did a look at the history of the bitter rivalry between the Giants and Eagles.

I also did a 'Five Giants' players to watch Sunday' post for Yahoo Sports this week.

Around The Inter-Google

The Giants are hoping they can take advantage of the weak NFC East to become only the second NFL team to overcome an 0-4 start and reach the playoffs. The first was the 1992 San Diego Chargers.

Gary Myers of the Daily News says the Giants still have reason to hope, but that they have to win Sunday.

Eagles.com offers thoughts on what to watch for Sunday afternoon.

When Victor Cruz signed his $46-million contract he said he still thought he was underpaid. Newsday's Bob Glauber says it looks like Cruz was right.

WFAN says it's up to Eli Manning to save the Giants' season.

The Giants traded for linebacker Jon Beason this week, their first in-season trade since acquiring Ottis Anderson in 1986. Paul Schwartz of the New York Post says it's obvious that GM Jerry Reese has a blind spot when it comes to evaluating linebackers.

The Star-Ledger says the Giants need to make some changes on offense.

More from Big Blue View

• Giants vs Eagles Week 5: What to watch on Sunday
• Chris Snee Injury: Veteran lineman placed on IR by New York Giants
• Jon Beason Trade: Linebacker passes physical, joins Giants
• New York Giants' Injury Report: Six Giants out Sunday
• NFC East Notebook, Oct. 4: Cowboys without Austin, Eagles expecting Jacobs