The Giants were going to make sure they secured the services of Justin Pugh and not leave him on the practice squad, where he would have been available for another team to pilfer.
Not that Pugh had any intention of going anywhere.
“Teams can reach out but there was never a doubt in my mind,’’ he said. “I came here for a reason.’’
Pugh on Wednesday was signed to the active roster for the reminder of the season.
“I was super excited,’’ said Pugh, the Giants’ 2013 first-round draft pick. “It got into the late hours and we got it done.’’
This transaction makes sense, considering it could very well be the 33-year-old Pugh as the Giants’ starting left tackle for Sunday’s game with the Commanders.
Pugh, remarkably, played all 77 snaps in the 14-9 loss to the Bills.
He started at left guard — his preferred and most comfortable position — but moved outside to left tackle in the first quarter after Joshua Ezeudu lasted only nine snaps before suffering a toe injury that could end his season.
Pugh had some rough moments early, allowing a sack and getting flagged for two false start penalties, as he adjusted to the cadence in his first game in one calendar year, since going down with a torn ACL last season with the Cardinals.
Pugh settled in and played better in the second half at a position he had not played since 2017.
“I thought he did some good things,’’ coach Brian Daboll said. “Again, he hasn’t played tackle in a while. We’ll give him obviously some reps out there and make sure we get him ready to go.’’
Andrew Thomas (hamstring) did not practice but there was a sign of progress, as he started doing increased work with trainers.
He could possibly return for the Week 8 game versus the Jets.
Without him, Pugh is likely the next-best option at left tackle, unless the Giants want to start Tyre Phillips, who was signed Tuesday off the Eagles’ practice squad.
Phillips started five games for the Giants last season — at right tackle.
Pugh credited practice-squad offensive lineman Jalen Mayfield for fine-tuning the “straight off the couch’’ line Pugh gave in the televised pregame introductions when players usually announce their college.
“I was going to use ‘fresh off the couch’ and he was like ‘straight off the couch’ and I said ‘that’s it!’’’ Pugh said.
To make room on the roster for Pugh, tight end Lawrence Cager was waived.
C John Michael Schmitz (shoulder), WR Wan’Dale Robinson (knee), RT Evan Neal (ankle) and T Matt Peart (shoulder) did not practice.
This is precautionary with Robinson.
Daboll said Neal’s ankle swelled up after the game in Buffalo.
Saquon Barkley played 60 snaps in his return after missing three games with a high ankle sprain.
He was limited in practice because the focus is on having him ready for game days.
“I’d say the ankle wasn’t any worse off, just natural bumps and bruises from not having played for a while,’’ Daboll said. “So, I’d say he’s in a good spot.’’
TE Darren Waller planned to attend Game 4 of the WNBA Finals at Barclays Center, hoping to see his wife, Kelsey Plum, win the title with the Las Vegas Aces Wednesday night in their game against the Liberty.
“It’s very exciting,’’ Waller said. “I want to see her accomplish everything she sets out to accomplish. It’s cool to be a fan of her, be her husband and just support her.’’