Justin Pugh goes from 'couch' to Giants' active roster in 2 weeks - ESPN

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Veteran offensive lineman Justin Pugh has gone from straight off the couch to being signed to the New York Giants active roster in a span of two weeks.

Pugh, who was signed to the practice squad on Oct. 3, put pen to paper on a new one-year deal with the Giants on Wednesday, the team announced. This comes three days after he made his 2023 season debut in a 14-9 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

«Justin Pugh, straight off the couch,» Pugh now famously said instead of his college during the «Sunday Night Football» introductions.

It was already a stretch for Pugh to start at left guard in that contest considering he had one padded practice under his belt. But it was indicative of the dire state of the Giants' offensive line.

Pugh then improbably shifted over to left tackle once Josh Ezeudu exited in the first half with a toe injury,

Pugh had played just five snaps at left tackle since 2015. He had mostly been a left guard ever since.

«I thought he did some good things,» coach Brian Daboll said. «Again, he hasn't played tackle in a while.… We'll give him obviously some reps out there. Make sure we get him ready to go.»

It's likely Pugh will remain at left tackle in the short term since the Giants are now down their top two options at the position. All-Pro Andrew Thomas (hamstring) again didn't practice Wednesday and hasn't played since Week 1, even though Daboll said he's getting better and would work on the side with trainers. Ezeudu (toe) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, when the Giants signed tackles Tyre Phillips and Josh Miles off the Eagles' and Falcons' practice squads, respectively.

It was necessary with the Giants' offensive line devastated by injury. Starting center John Michael Schmitz