UPDATE (12/19 - 10:30 a.m.) - Jaylon Smith will play today against his former team after the Giants activated the linebacker from their practice squad about 90 minutes prior to kickoff.
DALLAS (105.3 The Fan) - This weekend's game between the Cowboys and Giants might get a little more interesting.
The Giants have signed former Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith to their practice squad, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Friday.
There's no guarantee that Smith will be activated to the Giant's 53-man roster ahead of the game, but New York is dealing with multiple absences at the linebacker spot. Cam Brown and Oshane Ximines were among the Giants to be placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list this week, and Reggie Ragland was able to get in a limited practice on Friday after sitting out Thursday's practice due to a non-COVID illness.
The Cowboys released Smith on Oct. 5 after their attempts to trade him were unsuccessful.
According to multiple reports, finances were the key factor in letting Smith walk. The former 2016 second-round pick is guaranteed to earn $7.2 million this season, but the Cowboys would have been on the hook for another $9.2 million if he were to suffer a significant injury.
Smith had 516 career tackles, nine sacks, and six forced fumbles in 68 career games with the Cowboys.
Smith signed with the Packers on Oct. 7 and appeared in two games with the organization before he was released on Nov. 2. He recorded one tackle in 27 snaps.