Big Blue View
The New York Giants announced Saturday afternoon that they’ve elevated defensive lineman Elijah Garcia from their practice squad.
Garcia played in five games last season, starting three after star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence was lost for the season to a dislocated elbow. Garcia, a third-year player out of Rice, started the 2024 season on the Giants’ practice squad but played better than expected after being signed to the 53-man roster. He had 14 total tackles, two for a loss, and a quarterback hit, as well as a fumble recovery, playing 143 defensive snaps.
The Giants released Garcia as a part of their final cut down to their initial 53-man roster. It was a sign of the greater depth on the line this year, but the team also quickly signed him to their practice squad.
This is the first of three potential game day elevations for Garcia under the practice squad rules. Once the Giants elevate him a third time, they’ll be forced to sign him to the main roster if they want him available for game day.
The decision to elevate a defensive lineman is likely to improve their depth in the face of the Washington Commanders’ rushing offense.
