Giants roster moves: Austin Mack added to 53-man roster, Damion Ratley waived

The New York Giants, looking to get more production from their wide receivers. have signed undrafted free agent rookie Austin Mack to their practice squad. The Giants waived Damion Ratley.

Claimed off waivers from the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 6, Ratley caught only four passes in five games while playing 126 snaps on offense. Ratley was called for an offensive pass interference penalty for, in the eyes of the officials, setting a pick on what would have been a touchdown pass to Darius Slayton on Sunday vs. the Dallas Cowboys.

Mack caught 79 passes in 32 games over four seasons for Ohio State. He had been added to the roster for the Week 4 game against the Los Angeles Rams, but was inactive and was then returned to the practice squad.

At 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, Mack offers size that no other Giants wide receiver possesses.

Here is part of what Gene Ross of SB Nation’s Ohio State website, Land Grant Holy Land, told us about Mack during the summer:

Ed: Why do you believe Mack went undrafted, and did that surprise you?

Gene: Mack going undrafted was not a huge surprise. Despite being a talented wideout, he has suffered from some inconsistencies as a result of nagging injuries over the course of his career at Ohio State. Mack only played in eight games his junior year after needing surgery for a foot injury that ended his season, and missed three games with an undisclosed ailment this past year. The missed time caused him to fall behind in the depth chart, and although the production was there when he was on the field, he did not put up enough numbers to make himself into an NFL Draft pick.

Ed: What little I have watched of Mack, he seems like a reliable possession type receiver. Is that an accurate description?

Gene: Absolutely. Mack isn’t going to kill anyone with his speed, and while he has good size at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, that isn’t going to wow people either. However, what he does have is an incredibly reliable set of hands. Even in his limited playing time, Mack caught just about everything thrown his way, whether it be an over the shoulder ball in the corner of the end zone or a high-point grab over a defensive back. If the ball is put in his vicinity, Mack is more than likely going to come down with it. He also possesses great strength and body control to win those 50/50 balls.