The New York Giants put linebacker Tae Crowder on injured reserve Tuesday, two days after the rookie returned a fumble for a touchdown to secure the team’s first victory.
Crowder suffered a hamstring injury and will be eligible to return in three weeks.
Crowder was this year’s Mr. Irrelevant – the last player taken in the draft at pick No. 255.
Crowder was extremely relevant Sunday when he picked up a Kyle Allen fumble and returned it 43 yards for a touchdown with 3:29 remaining in the game against the Washington Football Team. The score broke a tie, and the Giants staved off a two-point conversion with 36 seconds remaining to get the win.
Crowder, a longshot to make the team, played in all five games – initially on special teams – and started the past two. He recorded 10 tackles against Washington and had 18 on the season.
The Giants signed defensive end Jabaal Sheard off the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad to take Crowder’s spot on the 53-man roster. Sheard will not be eligible to play this week against the Philadelphia Eagles, given COVID-19 protocols reset when a player joins a new team.
Sheard played last week against the Detroit Lions, his only appearance this season with the Jags. He has 51.5 career sacks in 135 games (103 starts) with the Cleveland Browns (2011-14), New England Patriots (2015-16), Indianapolis Colts (2017-19) and Jaguars.
