The Giants’ first post-Super Bowl player release was largely a procedural one.
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Linebacker Uani ‘Unga, who missed the entire 2016 season with an undisclosed injury, was waived Wednesday with an injury designation. ‘Unga, an undrafted free agent out of BYU, was scheduled to make $615,000 this season, the final year on his deal before restricted free agency.
The Giants waived ‘Unga last May with an injury designation. He cleared waivers and reverted back to the team’s injured reserve, where he remained for the rest of the season.
‘Unga was one of the best stories of the 2015 preseason. The then-27-year-old rookie made the team out of training camp, and he ended up starting at middle linebacker in the season opener with veteran Jon Beason sidelined with a knee injury.
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‘Unga started three games in the middle, but he struggled in coverage. He eventually lost the job to Jasper Brinkley after Beason’s season ended due to injury, and ‘Unga also battled a neck injury of his own, missing three games.
With ‘Unga’s release, the Giants now have 57 players under contract, according to an unofficial NJ Advance Media count. They also have five exclusive rights free agents who will return as long as they are tendered an offer sheet before the start of the new league year. They have 17 pending unrestricted free agents and two pending restricted free agents as well.
James Kratch may be reached at jkratch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JamesKratch. Find our Giants coverage on Facebook.
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