New York Giants cut eight players – including a Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl winner – as 53-man roster deadline looms

The New York Giants made their first round of cuts on Friday as eight players were released ahead of Tuesday’s 53-man deadline.

Following a strong 3-0 preseason, Big Blue began reducing their roster from 90 players as three wide receivers – including a Chiefs Super Bowl winner – were released.

As the team announced on Friday afternoon, receivers Jordan Bly, Zach Pascal and Montrell Washington were all cut.

So too were center Jimmy Morrissey, offensive lineman Jaison Williams, linebacker K.J. Cloyd, linebacker Dyontae Johnson and cornerback O’Donnell Fortune.

Washington, who had impressed earlier on in training camp, was on Kansas City’s practice squad when they beat the 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII and received a ring.

Pascal, who went undrafted in 2017, has played seven years in the league and topped 600 receiving yards for the Colts in both 2019 and 2020. 

The team also let go of linebacker Dyontae Johnson, who played twice for the team last year

Morrissey appeared in 14 games from 2021-23 for the Texans, Cloyd has previously been a practice squad player for the Giants without playing in a game and Johnson played twice for Big Blue last year.

Williams, Bly and Fortune were all undrafted rookies.

The Giants have plenty more cuts to make before the 4pm ET deadline on Tuesday.

One player expected to depart in some fashion is fan favorite quarterback Tommy DeVito.

The passer performed admirably in the preseason finale against the Patriots, throwing three touchdowns, but is part of a crowded quarterback room that also includes starter Russell Wilson, emerging rookie Jaxson Dart and veteran Jameis Winston. 

Asked after the game about the possibility that he had just played for the final time for the Giants, he said: ‘…. Every time I go out, I try to put my all because never know when it is going to be your last.’

The Giants begin their regular season on September 7 at the Commanders.