Giants’ roster moves: QB Alex Tanney cut, RB Austin Walter added to 53-man roster

The New York Giants have terminated the contract of third-string quarterback Alex Tanney and promoting running back Austin Walter from the practice squad in time for Thursday night’s game against the New England Patriots.

Walter is a 5-foot-8, 190-pound undrafted free agent from Rice. He spent the preseason with the San Francisco 49ers being being cut. The Giants signed him to their practice squad in mid-September.

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With Saquon Barkley (high ankle sprain) and Wayne Gallman (concussion) not available, Walter will serve as the team’s No. 3 running back behind Jon Hilliman and Elijhaa Penny.

Walter gained 1,744 yards on 344 carries (5.1 yards per attempt) in four seasons at Rice. He also caught 79 passes for 803 yards (10.2 per catch).

Here is some further information on Walter.

Tanney, who has been with a number of teams since entering the league in 2012, has been with the Giants the past two seasons. He was inactive for the first five games this season. The Giants will now carry only two quarterbacks, Daniel Jones and Eli Manning.

Coach Pat Shurmur has in the past expressed a preference for keeping three quarterbacks. When Barkley returns it would not be far-fetched to see the Giants re-sign Tanney.