The New York Giants have added veteran outside linebacker Dawuane Smoot to their practice squad, bolstering an edge-rush group that has been thinned by injuries, via NFL insider Tom Pelissero.
According to reports, the move follows a workout that also included Yannick Ngakoue and Julian Okwara, though only Smoot secured a deal.
The 31-year-old arrives as a familiar presence from the AFC, having spent the bulk of his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars before brief stints elsewhere.
Smoot entered the league as a third-round selection, taken 68th overall by Jacksonville out of Illinois in 2017.
He spent his first several seasons primarily in a rotational role, developing into a reliable contributor who could generate pressure without demanding a starting job every week.
After his rookie deal, he re-signed with the Jaguars on a two-year pact worth $14 million, then returned for another one-year agreement in 2023. A short stay with the Buffalo Bills in 2024 was followed by yet another return to Jacksonville for the 2025 campaign.
Last season he appeared in all 17 games, recording 23 total tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks. Those numbers reflect the steady production that has defined much of his career rather than a sudden breakout.
Across nine seasons, he has compiled 27 sacks while remaining durable enough to see regular snaps even when not the primary pass rusher.
At 6-foot-3 and 275 pounds, he offers the physical profile of a traditional edge defender who can set the edge against the run and still threaten the quarterback on obvious passing downs.
For the Giants, the addition addresses a clear need. Multiple edge rushers have landed on injured reserve this year, most notably Brian Burns, leaving the remaining rotation thinner than ideal.
New York’s pass rush has produced uneven results through the early portion of the season, and inserting a veteran who has already logged extensive NFL snaps can help stabilize the unit on short notice.
Practice-squad placement means Smoot is not guaranteed immediate game-day snaps, yet teams frequently elevate such players when depth is tested by further attrition or when a specific matchup favors experienced hands.
Whether Smoot works his way into the active rotation will depend on how quickly he absorbs the scheme and how the rest of the defensive line holds up.
Given his track record of contributing in reserve roles and the Giants’ current circumstances, the signing represents a low-risk way to reinforce a position of concern heading into the middle of the season.
