Giants roster move: LB Devante Downs re-signed

The New York Giants are bringing back linebacker Devante Downs. The team announced Wednesday that Downs, a linebacker who started eight games a season ago, is being re-signed.

Downs was scheduled to be a restricted free agent, but became unrestricted recently when the Giants did not offer him an RFA tender. They are, though, bringing him back to compete for a spot on the 53-man roster.

Downs, 25, has three years of NFL experience. His only NFL starts were those he made with the Giants last season, when he finished the season with 33 tackles, 25 of them solo.

Downs, 6-foot-2, 252 pounds, is a key special teams player who was on the field for 256 special teams snaps (62 percent) a season ago.

Tae Crowder, Reggie Ragland, T.J. Brunson, Downs, and perhaps Carter Coughlin and Cam Brown are among players who will compete for playing time along Blake Martinez.