Giants’ roster moves: WR/KR Kalif Raymond, LB Akeem Ayers, G John Greco added [UPDATED]

The New York Giants made several roster moves on Tuesday. They promoted kick returner/wide receiver Kalif Raymond from their practice squad and two veterans, linebacker Akeem Ayers and guard John Greco.

To make room, the Giants waived kick returner/wide receiver Ed Eagan, waived defensive end Devin Taylor and placed linebacker Keenan Robinson on injured reserve.

Raymond, an undrafted free agent out of Holy Cross, played in four games for the Denver Broncos last season. He averaged 10.1 yards on 11 punt returns and 22.8 yards on six kickoff returns. He played in two games for the New York Jets at the beginning of this season, averaging 7.6 yards on five punt returns and 28.3 yards on three kickoff returns.

Raymond, 23, is a 5-foot-9, 160-pound specialist. He had been on the Giants’ practice squad.

Eagan was promoted to the 53-man roster when the Giants lost return man Dwayne Harris for the season. His first punt return went for 20 yards, but three subsequent returns netted zero yards, and special teams coordinator Tom Quinn recently seemed uncertain about Eagan’s judgment.

Shane Vereen has been averaging 24.0 yards on kickoff returns. Perhaps, though, the Giants will take that responsibility off the shoulders of the veteran running back with Raymond on the roster.

Ayers, 27, is in his seventh NFL season. He has played in 91 games, starting 58, and the Giants will be his fifth team. He replaces Robinson, who has been dealing with a quad injury.

Greco, 32, has played 111 games with 70 starts for the Cleveland Browns and St. Louis Rams. He spent the past six seasons with the Browns. Greco spent a week this season with the New Orleans Saints, but did not play. Greco can play guard and center. With Justin Pugh (back) likely to be out for a while, and guard D.J. Fluker having left Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers hobbled by a knee injury Greco could provided needed offensive line insurance.

Matt LaCosse, waived last week when fullback Shane Smith was added to the 53-man roster, has been added to the Giants’ practice squad. Offensive lineman Nick Becton, a 27-year-old with six games of NFL experience, was also added to the practice squad.