Enemies became friends on Friday, as the Giants signed former Cowboys Pro Bowler Jaylon Smith to their practice squad, welcoming an ex-division rival just two days before New York is set to host Dallas in an NFC East rematch. Released by the Cowboys in October, the veteran linebacker appeared in two games for the Packers this season. Now, he’s joined the Giants as emergency depth — and perhaps for some Cowboys preparation tips — ahead of Week 15.
Smith, 26, was one of the Cowboys’ top defenders at the height of five-year career in Dallas. A 2019 Pro Bowler, the Notre Dame product quickly emerged as a play-maker after missing his entire rookie season due to knee surgery, totaling 418 tackles, eight sacks and two interceptions from 2017-2019. Surpassed by rookie Micah Parsons on the linebacker depth chart this year, Smith was released on Oct. 5 and signed with Green Bay on Oct. 7, spending just under a month as a backup with the Packers.
The Giants, who have lost three of their last four, are starved for linebacker depth going into Sunday’s game against Dallas. Blake Martinez, Carter Coughlin, Oshane Ximines, T.J. Brunson, Trent Brown, Justin Hilliard and Cam Brown are all either banged up or on injured reserve.
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