The New York Giants made a quiet but telling roster move on Wednesday, parting ways with veteran wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud by terminating his practice squad contract.
McCloud, 29, joined the Giants’ practice squad back on October 22, just a day after being released by the Atlanta Falcons in what was reportedly a rocky exit. His time in New York was brief, and while he didn’t make a major statistical impact, his presence was part of a broader effort to patch together a depleted receiving corps.
With Malik Nabers and Darius Slayton both sidelined due to injuries, the Giants turned to McCloud for depth. He was elevated from the practice squad for two games, but saw minimal action - just one target, which he caught for a modest five-yard gain. Still, his elevation wasn’t just about production; it was a move born out of necessity during a stretch where the Giants were scrambling to field healthy options at wideout.
There’s also a bit of history between McCloud and the Giants’ former head coach Brian Daboll. Back in 2018, Daboll was the offensive coordinator in Buffalo when the Bills drafted McCloud in the sixth round. That connection likely played a role in bringing the veteran wideout to New York in the first place.
McCloud’s second and final elevation came in Week 10 against the Chicago Bears - a game that turned out to be Daboll’s last as head coach. Since then, under interim head coach Mike Kafka, McCloud hasn’t seen the field. With Kafka now steering the ship for the past three games, the Giants have opted to go in a different direction, both in terms of personnel and offensive identity.
For McCloud, this marks another chapter in a career that’s seen him bounce around the league - a reliable return man and depth receiver who’s carved out a role wherever he’s gone. But with the Giants clearly shifting gears, his time in blue has come to an end.
As for New York, the move is another sign of a team in transition, trying to find footing in a season filled with injuries, coaching changes, and plenty of questions about the future.