EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Two veterans and a 2010 draft choice were placed on injured reserve today as the Giants made five transactions to reach the NFL roster limit of 75 players.
Quarterback Jim Sorgi and wide receiver Sinorice Moss were the experienced players who went on I.R., ending their seasons. They were joined by linebacker Adrian Tracy, the team’s sixth-round selection in this year’s draft.
The Giants also moved offensive lineman Kevin Boothe from the active physically unable to perform list to reserve PUP, meaning he must miss at least the first six weeks of the season.
Rookie wide receiver Nyan Boateng was released.
The Giants and all NFL teams must reach the regular season roster limit of 53 players by 6 p.m. Saturday. The Giants will conclude their preseason schedule Thursday night at home against New England.
Sorgi was signed as a free agent on March 9 to back up Eli Manning. But the seven-year veteran suffered a shoulder injury in the preseason opener against the Jets that has prevented him from throwing a football the last two weeks. Without Sorgi, the Giants’ reserve quarterbacks are Rhett Bomar and Dominic Randolph, neither of whom has thrown a pass in a regular season game. Randolph, a rookie who was signed on Aug. 19, has never taken a preseason snap.
Sorgi played the previous six seasons in Indianapolis, where he was the backup to Peyton Manning. His 2009 season ended when he was placed on injured reserve on Dec. 9 with a shoulder injury he said is unrelated to his current issue.
Moss, who has been with the Giants since 2006, underwent surgery this morning to repair a sports hernia. The operation was performed by Dr. William Meyers at Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia.
Moss was competing for a roster spot as a receiver and return man. He played in one of the Giants’ first three preseason games, against Pittsburgh on Aug. 21, and had an 11-yard reception. Moss played in eight games in 2009 and 37 in his first five seasons with the Giants. He has 39 career receptions for 421 yards and three touchdowns.
Tracy underwent surgery yesterday to repair ligament damage he sustained when he dislocated his elbow last Saturday night in Baltimore. The surgery was performed by Dr. Robert Hotchkiss at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan.
Tracy was a defensive end at William & Mary whom the Giants converted to linebacker. He played in each of the first three preseason games and had 10 tackles (nine solo), including two for losses.
The Giants have lost two of their seven 2010 draft choices for the season. Safety Chad Jones, their third-round selection, was seriously injured in an auto accident in New Orleans on June 25 and is on the reserve/non-football injury list.
Boothe underwent surgery in the spring to repair a torn pectoral muscle suffered while he was lifting weights. He has been diligently rehabbing, but is not yet ready to play.
The Giants hope to have Boothe on the field later this season. Beginning the day after the conclusion of the sixth regular season weekend (Tuesday, Oct. 19), Boothe can practice for up to 21 days while the Giants evaluate his health and capabilities. At that point, they can add him to the active roster, release him or place him on season-ending injured reserve. That 21-day window can begin as late as the day after the ninth week of the season (Nov. 9).
Boeteng was signed by the Giants on Aug. 5. He had a 12-yard reception in the preseason-opening victory over the Jets.