The New York Giants signed quarterback Jake Haener to their practice squad on Saturday as part of a series of roster moves ahead of their Week 9 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The transactions also included signing wide receiver Jalin Hyatt to the active roster from the practice squad and elevating running back Phil Mafah and edge rusher Dawuane Smoot from the practice squad.
Haener’s return comes just two days after the Giants waived the 27-year-old quarterback on November 5, opening a roster spot that was ultimately used for Hyatt.
Haener had been on the active roster as the third-string quarterback behind starter Jameis Winston and J.J. McCarthy.
A fourth-round pick (127th overall) by the New Orleans Saints in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Fresno State, Haener has limited regular-season experience.
In 2024, he appeared in eight games with one start for the Saints, completing 18 of 39 passes (46.2 percent) for 226 yards, one touchdown, and one interception while adding 11 carries for 22 yards.
After spending time on the Saints’ practice squad and a brief offseason stint with the Kansas City Chiefs, he joined the Giants late in training camp in August 2026 to compete for a backup role behind Jaxson Dart and Winston.
Haener’s 2026 season with New York has been a revolving door.
He made the initial roster, was waived at final cuts and returned to the practice squad, then was signed to the active roster ahead of Week 3 after Dart suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Two days later, following the trade for McCarthy from the Minnesota Vikings, the Giants waived him again.
He returned to the practice squad, was elevated for a game, and later signed back to the 53-man roster in early October as McCarthy continued to learn the offense. Coach John Harbaugh had noted at one point that Haener was further along in the system than the newly acquired McCarthy.
With Dart on injured reserve and Winston established as the starter, Haener’s return to the practice squad provides the Giants with experienced depth at the position without committing an active roster spot.
His college résumé includes first-team All-Mountain West honors as a senior at Fresno State, where he threw for over 9,000 yards and 67 touchdowns across three starting seasons after transferring from Washington.
For a team navigating quarterback injuries and seeking stability, keeping a veteran arm like Haener in the organization offers flexibility as the season progresses.
The move aligns with the Giants’ ongoing roster management as they prepare for a critical NFC East contest.
