The New York Giants elevated outside linebacker Trace Ford from the practice squad on Saturday ahead of a Week 6 game against the New Orleans Saints.
The move marks Ford’s third and final standard elevation of the season, the maximum allowed under NFL rules before a practice squad player must be signed to the 53-man roster to remain eligible for game-day activations.
Ford, an undrafted free agent who played at Oklahoma State and Oklahoma, has provided useful depth in his two previous elevations this year. He logged 19 defensive snaps and 47 special teams snaps across those appearances, including 16 defensive snaps last week against the Washington Commanders.
The 6-foot-2, 252-pound linebacker flashed during the preseason, earning PFF Team of the Week honors after recording a sack, multiple tackles for loss, and quarterback pressures in the finale against the New York Jets.
Head coach John Harbaugh has previously highlighted Ford’s contributions in camp and exhibitions.
His presence adds another body to the edge rotation with Brian Burns sidelined for the season after tearing his ACL. Elevating only Ford also leaves the Giants with four wide receivers active, which could open the door for all four running backs—Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Najee Harris, and Devin Singletary—to dress against the Saints.
Singletary has been a healthy scratch in recent weeks.
With this elevation exhausted, the Giants will need to decide whether to promote Ford to the active roster in the coming weeks if they want to continue using him on game days. For now, he provides immediate depth and special teams value as New York looks to keep its edge group functional.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants elevate LB Trace Ford from practice squad