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What are the New York Giants options for replacing cornerback Walter Thurmond III, who will reportedly miss the rest of the 2014 regular season with a torn pectoral muscle?
Well, first things first. Judging from what the Giants did on Sunday when Thurmond left the game against the Arizona Cardinals, it looks like veteran Trumaine McBride will slide into the slot cornerback role. McBride played in 15 games for the Giants with 10 starts, and played well enough to earn himself a two-year contract.
What, though, will the Giants do about filling the roster spot Thurmond will vacate?
Charles James, who played in 12 games -- mostly on special teams -- for the Giants last season is still a free agent. The Giants cut James this season in their first round of cuts after James had a couple of rough preseason games. He is, however, an enthusiastic young player who has shown some flashes of ability and knows Perry Fewell's defense.
The Giants also have Jayron Hosley. The fourth-year corner is currently serving a four-game suspension for a violation of the league's substance abuse policy. He is eligible to return in Week 5. Hosley, a 2012 third-round pick, has seven starts in three seasons but has never consistently shown the ability the Giants hoped he had when they drafted him. His preseason play was indifferent, at best. He graded at -4.1 per Pro Football Focus in the preseason, and his passer rating against was 106.8. He allowed 12 receptions while being targeted 16 times.
The Giants also have two cornerbacks on their practice squad, sixth-round pick Bennett Jackson along with Chandler Fenner. One of them could be signed to the active roster.
Are there any veteran free agent corners on the market you might like to see the Giants pursue? Tell us in the comments.
An interesting aside with Thurmond is that the five-year veteran took a one-year 'prove it' contract to play for the Giants. What does this do to his value on the market in the offseason, and will the Giants bring him back?