Giants Sign Haener as Backup QB, Elevate Berrios and Harrison for Titans
Saturday's move is Berrios' and Harrison's third practice-squad elevation this season, the NFL max, and reverses an earlier prediction from The Athletic's Dan Duggan that the spot wouldn't go to Haener.
The Giants signed quarterback Jake Haener from the practice squad to the 53-man roster Saturday, making him Jameis Winston's backup for Sunday's game against the Titans, according to the team's official transactions log. The Giants also elevated wide receiver Braxton Berrios and linebacker Malik Harrison from the practice squad for the game.
Saturday's elevations were Berrios' and Harrison's third of the season, following elevations on Sept. 12 and Sept. 21. Under NFL rules, a team can use a standard elevation on the same player a maximum of three times in a season before it must sign him to the 53-man roster to use him again.
The Haener signing reverses a prediction from The Athletic's Dan Duggan, who wrote on X Saturday morning that he expected Berrios or Harrison — not Haener — to get the open roster spot, based on his belief the Giants planned to add a new backup quarterback from outside the organization soon. Duggan wrote Saturday afternoon that the Giants "did sign Haener, while elevating Berrios and Harrison," and said it "seems like they're going to carry three QBs so they have an emergency QB once they add someone next week."
Separately, NFL insider Josina Anderson reported Saturday, citing a league source, that the Giants "could eventually add two new quarterbacks instead of one," with a preference for adding competitive depth "as soon as possible."