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The battered New York Giants made some roster moves on Monday, the biggest of which might have been the signing of veteran free-agent linebacker Ashlee Palmer. The Giants also signed rookie defensive back C.J. Conway of Montclair State. Safety Justin Currie (fractured ankle) and rookie wide receiver Tony Johnson (knee) were waived/injured.
No roster move was announced with safety Bennett Jackson, who suffered a season-ending torn ACL during Saturday's preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Palmer, 29, is a six-year veteran who entered the league in 2009 as an undrafted free agent with the Buffalo Bills. He spent the last five seasons with the Detroit Lions. Palmer has 24 starts in 94 career games. Perhaps most importantly for the Giants, Palmer has been a durable player. He missed two games with the Bills in 2009, but did not miss a game in five seasons with the Lions.
Way back in April, Palmer expressed frustration over being unsigned.
WOW.. maybe I should have attended the Veteran Combine. .!
— Ashlee Palmer (@ashpalmer58) April 3, 2015
A productive player for 6 years in multiple roles.. STILL NOT SIGNED.!! LOL
— Ashlee Palmer (@ashpalmer58) April 3, 2015
Palmer, 6-foot-1, 238 pounds, has primarily played strong side linebacker during his career. He could provide the Giants some insurance with Jon Beason currently shelved by a knee sprain. He comes with a reputation as an excellent special teams player.
Palmer played 187 defensive snaps last season and earned a +2.0 Pro Football Focus grade (+3.1 vs. run, +1.4 as a pass rusher, -2.5 in pass coverage). In 2013, Palmer played 367 snaps and earned a -1.2 overall grade.
Conway was the New Jersey Athletic Conference's Defensive Player of the Year in 2014.