Giants Sign QB Josh Johnson, Cut LB Jasper Brinkley

Josh Johnson – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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GIANTS SIGN QB JOSH JOHNSON, CUT LB JASPER BRINKLEY…
The New York Giants have signed quarterback Josh Johnson. To make room for Johnson, the Giants terminated the contract of middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley. With Brinkley gone, the Giants starting middle linebacker will be Kelvin Sheppard.

The 30-year old Johnson was originally drafted in the 5th round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has spent time with the Buccaneers (2008–2011), 49ers (2012), Sacramento Mountain Lions (2012), Browns (2012), Bengals (2013), 49ers (2014), Bengals (2015), Jets (2015), Colts (2015), Bills (2015), and Ravens (2016). Johnson has played in 29 regular-season games with five starts – the last coming with Buccaneers in 2011. He has completed 96-of-177 passes (54.2 percent) for 1,042 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. In the 2016 preseason for the Ravens, Johnson completed 41-of-57 passes (71.9 percent) for 365 yards, 1 touchdown, and no interceptions. He also rushed for 87 yards and 2 touchdowns on 18 carries. Johnson is a mobile quarterback with good size.

Johnson now joins quarterback Eli Manning, Ryan Nassib, and Logan Thomas – the latter who is on the team’s Practice Squad. “We have four quarterbacks here,” said Head Coach Ben McAdoo. “We’re going to give Ryan (Nassib) a little bit of competition with Josh (Johnson). He’s a good player. He’s been around the block. It’ll bring out the best in both of them… (Johnson) has good rhythm in his body. He’s been trained in a version of the system. He plays with his cleats in the ground, has a natural throwing motion and has some good experience.”

The Giants signed Brinkley in September 2015 after he was released by the Dallas Cowboys. He played in 15 games, starting nine at middle linebacker, and finished the season with 67 tackles, 1 sack, and 4 forced fumbles. Brinkley was originally drafted in the 5th round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. Since that time, he has spent time with the Vikings (2009-12, 2014), Cardinals (2013), and Cowboys (2015). Brinkley has played in 94 regular-season games with 42 starts.

“It just came down to it’s a numbers game at this point,” said McAdoo of Brinkley. “It came down to numbers. We thank Jasper for everything he’s done for us. Coming in playing last year off short notice, he did a nice job for us. We wish him the best.”

SEPTEMBER 5, 2016 NEW YORK GIANTS INJURY REPORT…
Linebacker B.J. Goodson and cornerback Leon Hall are still being evaluated for the concussions they suffered in the third preseason game. “Hall and Goodson are both going through the (concussion protocol) process,” said Head Coach Ben McAdoo.

Linebacker Jonathan Casillas (ribs) and safety Darian Thompson (shoulder) returned to practice on a limited basis.

“(Thompson) was back in a limited role today,” said McAdoo. “He’s testing it out. He has a harness on his shoulder but he’s out here in a limited role.”

“(Casillas) was out here in a limited role,” said McADoo. “He’s getting his wind back right now. We’ll dust him off on Wednesday and give him an opportunity to get back on the field.”

HEAD COACH BEN MCADOO…
The transcript of Ben McAdoo’s press conference on Monday is available in The Corner Forum while the video is available at Giants.com.

THE PLAYERS SPEAK…
Transcripts and video clips of the media sessions with the following players are available in The Corner Forum and at Giants.com:

• QB Eli Manning (Video)
• WR Victor Cruz (Video)
• WR Sterling Shepard (Video)

ARTICLES…

• Giants’ preseason was a huge success in this one key area by Paul Schwartz of The New York Post
• Victor Cruz plans to be “full go” vs. Dallas by Michael Eisen of Giants.com

WHAT’S UP NEXT…
There is no media availability to the Giants on Tuesday. The Giants next practice on Wednesday at 11:00AM.