Giants kicker Josh Brown back on team; linebacker JT Thomas to IR

With New York Giants linebacker J.T. Thomas lost for the season with torn ligaments in his left knee, kicker Josh Brown is taking his roster spot after being reinstated following a one-week suspension stemming from a domestic violence arrest last year.

The charges against Brown eventually were dropped, and the Giants said they were aware of the incident when they re-signed Brown to a two-year, $4 million deal in April.

Thomas was placed on injured reserve after hurting his knee on a kickoff return to end the first half of the Giants' 20-19 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

He had missed most of the summer with a hamstring injury, and he took a pay cut last week as the Giants finalized their roster prior to the start of the season.

The Giants now have two kickers on their roster, and Randy Bullock missed an extra point on Sunday and didn't attempt a field goal.

"Josh will be the kicker this week," head coach Ben McAdoo said.

The Giants will play the New Orleans Saints on Sunday in their home opener. Bullock's spot on the roster appears tenuous, at best, with two kickers on the roster.

"That could change shortly," McAdoo said.

The Giants are looking at other options, possibly at linebacker. McAdoo gave his traditional "never say never" line when asked about a potential return for linebacker Jasper Brinkley, who was surprisingly cut early last week after the team guaranteed him $1.7 million this offseason. Brinkley remains unsigned.

Starting middle linebacker Kelvin Sheppard was mostly invisible on Sunday. He had two tackles despite playing 59 snaps, and he was shaky in pass coverage. The Giants have six linebackers on the active roster. Rookie Ishaq Williams is available to be elevated from the practice squad if they so choose.

But the Giants have options. Thomas was playing exclusively on special teams, and rookie B.J. Goodson was inactive for the opener. Their current roster construction leaves open the possibility of adding an offensive lineman, fullback or blocking tight end.