NFL

Giants claim running back Ryquell Armstead off waivers from Jaguars

It is clear the Giants set as an offseason goal bolstering their offensive backfield behind Saquon Barkley, who will be returning from reconstructive knee surgery.

On Tuesday, they added another running back — their second backfield signing in three days — when they were awarded off waivers Ryquell Armstead, who was released Monday by the Jaguars.

To make room on the roster, Joe Webb, a special teams player listed as a quarterback, was released.

The Giants signed Corey Clement, a 26-year old running back, Sunday after he participated in last weekend’s rookie minicamp on a tryout basis. Clement spent the past four seasons with the Eagles after he went undrafted out of Wisconsin.

During free agency in March, the Giants signed Devontae Booker to a two-year deal worth $5.5 million. Booker, 28, ran for 1,526 yards and caught 122 passes in his four years with the Broncos and is expected to be the No. 1 backup to Barkley.

Giants Ryquell Armstead waivers Jaguars
The Giants claimed running back Ryquell Armstead off waivers from the Jaguars. AP

The Giants made no pursuit of Wayne Gallman, their own free-agent running back, who eventually signed with the 49ers.

Armstead, 24, is a New Jersey native who went to Millville High School and ran for 2,182 yards and 34 touchdowns in his college career at Temple. He was a 2019 fifth-round draft pick of the Jaguars and as a rookie had 35 rushing attempts and 108 yards, 14 receptions and two receiving touchdowns. Armstead did not play in 2020, as he experienced respiratory issues after two bouts with COVID-19 and spent the season on the reserve COVID-19 list.

In the NFL draft, the Giants also added a running back when they selected Gary Brightwell in the sixth round out of Arizona.