New York Giants tight end Kyle Rudolph, who opened training camp on the PUP list after undergoing foot surgery this spring, has been cleared to practice with the team and will be on the field as soon as this week.
Rudolph was a key free-agent acquisition this offseason, inking a two-year, $12 million deal ($4.5 million guaranteed) with Big Blue after a productive ten-year NFL career — all with the Minnesota Vikings.
The former Notre Dame standout will be limited at first but is expected to be a starter on the Giants’ offense as a traditional in-line tight end. The Giants have been missing such a player for several years now and Rudolph has a strong resume, which includes strengths in both run-blocking and catching the football in the red zone.
Kyle Rudolph has passed his physical and will return to practice
đź“°: https://t.co/Oa0awBqHNx pic.twitter.com/3bDhPYVrDg
— New York Giants (@Giants) August 25, 2021
Rudolph’s return means the Giants can be more comfortable with whittling down their tight end group over the next week. The Giants are expected to keep Evan Engram and Kaden Smith, but the other remaining members of the group, Nakia Griffin-Stewart and Jake Hausmann, are on the roster bubble.
On Tuesday, the Giants waived Cole Hikutini and placed Rysen John on injured reserve.
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