Elerson Smith activated, Ben Bredeson to IR among roster moves

The New York Giants activated outside linebacker Elerson Smith off injured reserve on Saturday. In a corresponding move, offensive lineman Ben Bredeson was placed on injured reserve.

Safety Landon Collins and tight end Lawrence Cager were also elevated from the practice squad for Sunday’s game in Seattle.

Smith injured his lower leg during a training camp practice on Aug. 14. The second-year pro spent the first eight weeks of the 2021 season on injured reserve with a hamstring injury suffered in training camp. He would end up playing in eight games in his rookie campaign and totaled four tackles (one solo), two quarterback hits, one force fumble and four special teams tackles.

Bredeson suffered a knee injury during last week’s win over the Jaguars. Coach Brian Daboll said at the start of the week that the offensive lineman would be “week-to-week” with the injury. Bredeson had started every game at left guard for the Giants this season.

Collins was elevated from the practice squad for last week’s game and registered one solo tackle on 23 defensive snaps. The veteran, who was one of the NFL’s top safeties when he played his first four pro seasons with the Giants, returned to the team on Oct. 7. Collins spent the previous three seasons with the Washington Commanders.

Cager was signed to the practice squad on October 18. The 25-year-old has played in four games over the last three seasons, three with the New York Jets and one with the Cleveland Browns, and has caught two passes for 35 yards, both of which came against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 3 of the 2020 season. Starting tight end Daniel Bellinger was ruled out on Friday due to the eye injury suffered last week.