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Injuries forced the New York Giants to make a handful of moves on Tuesday. The Giants (1-8) signed veteran linebacker Akeem Ayers and guard John Greco. Both worked out for the team earlier this year, with Ayers making a second visit last week. Wide receiver/kick returner Kalif Raymond was also elevated from the practice squad. They take the place of linebacker Keenan Robinson, wide receiver/returner Ed Eagan and defensive end Devin Taylor. Robinson was placed on injured reserve with a quad injury, and Eagan and Taylor were waived. To complete the roster overhaul, tight end Matt LaCosse was re-signed to the practice squad. Offensive lineman Nick Becton was also added to the practice squad. Robinson’s season ends prematurely after he injured his quad the previous week against the Los Angeles Rams. He appeared in just six games for the Giants this season after signing a one-year deal earlier this year. Robinson was an integral part of the defense last season, serving as the nickel linebacker and an asset with his competence in coverage. He never really found his footing this season after struggling with a concussion most of the summer. The Giants have now signed three linebackers (Ayers, Deontae Skinner and Kelvin Sheppard) in the past week as a result of injuries. Robinson, B.J. Goodson (ankle) and Devon Kennard (quad) all missed Sunday’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Robinson landed on injured reserve, and Sheppard also suffered a quad injury in that game. Kennard has the best chance to return this week when the Giants host the Kansas City Chiefs. Ayers, 28, was a second-round pick by the Tennessee Titans in the 2011 NFL draft. He has played in 91 career games and made 306 tackles with 15.5 sacks. He joins a linebacking crew that currently consists of Jonathan Casillas, Calvin Munson, Curtis Grant, Skinner, Kennard and Goodson. Greco, 32, has started 70 games in his NFL career. He was most recently with the New Orleans Saints, where he did not appear in a game. Greco was a starter up until last season for the Cleveland Browns. Raymond played four games for the Denver Broncos last season and two games with the New York Jets earlier this year. He muffed three punts in two games for the Jets. LaCosse was on the Giants' active roster the first nine weeks of the season. He was waived on Saturday to make room on the roster for fullback Shane Smith. Jerrel Adams stepped into LaCosse’s role as the third tight end. LaCosse, who had a strong summer, returns on the practice squad.
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