Giants’ roster move: Josh Mauro added, Stacy Coley placed on IR

Perhaps in an effort to strengthen their run defense for Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers, the New York Giants on Saturday activated defensive lineman Josh Mauro and placed kick returner/wide receiver Stacy Coley on injured reserve.

Mauro, in his fifth season, served a four-game suspension at the beginning of the season for violating the league’s performance enhancing drug policy. The Giants will likely hope that the addition to the active roster of the 6-foot-6, 290-pound Mauro will take away some of the sting of once again being without their best EDGE player, Olivier Vernon.

The Panthers lead the league in rushing yards per game (166.0) and are third in rushing yards per attempt (5.5).

Coley played in one game for the Giants after being claimed on waivers from the Minnesota Vikings. He returned two punts for 6 yards and two kickoffs for 27. He missed last week’s game with a hamstring injury.

The Giants continue to search for a reliable return man. They have now used Kaelin Clay, Coley, Jawill Davis and Cody Latimer (kickoffs only). They signed return specialist Quadree Henderson to the practice squad earlier this week.