Report - Giants will sign return specialist Quadree Henderson to practice squad

The New York Giants will reportedly be signing receiver and return specialist Quadree Henderson to their practice squad.

Henderson was originally signed as an undrafted free agent out of Pitt by the Pittsburgh Steelers after the 2018 NFL Draft.

Henderson was generally considered the second-best return specialist in the 2018 draft, behind Dante Pettis. In three years at Pitt, Henderson had 73 kickoff returns for 1,942 yards (26.6 per return) and four touchdowns. He also returned punts, beginning in his sophomore year, with his 37 career returns going for 495 yards (13.4 per return), and another three touchdowns. 11 of his 37 returns went for 15 or more yards.

Henderson is undersized at 5-foot-8, 192 pounds, but he has a no-nonsense return style and shows no hesitation in the face of kick or punt coverage. He is also a solid athlete, running between 4.40 and 4.50 seconds in the 40 yard dash as well as solid performances in the 3-cone, short shuttle, and broad jump.

He also has some utility as a ‘gadget’ player on offense, with nearly 9.2 yards per carry on rushing attempts and 11 yards per catch as a receiver. Most of those yards came on sweeps and screens, but he is dangerous with the ball in his hands.

The Giants had an interest in Henderson dating back to before the draft, hosting him for a pre-draft visit, as well as a workout following the final cut-down after the fourth preseason game. The Giants are averaging a league-worst 3.0 yards on punt returns and are 24th in kickoff returns at 19.6 yards per attempt.

The Giants’ offense needs all the help it can get as it searches for an identity, and it might just be a matter of time before Henderson is promoted to the 53-man roster.