Giants awarded LB Tuzar Skipper off waivers

Skipper fills the vacant roster spot after the Giants released LB Nate Stupar last week, and gives them depth with Kareem Martin ailing.

The Giants, desperate for pass rush help, were awarded outside linebacker Tuzar Skipper off waivers from the Steelers.

Skipper, 6-foot-3, 246 pounds, played his college ball at Toledo. He went undrafted but was signed by the Steelers after failing to catch on with the Chiefs during their rookie minicamp tryout.

Before enrolling at Toledo, Skipper attended Monroe College for two years where he had 46 tackles, 20.5 for loss, and 6.5 sacks in 13 games. He earned All-Northeast Football Conference second-team honors in his two seasons at Monroe.  

In three seasons at Toledo, he racked up 90 total tackles, 13.5 tackles for a loss, 9.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries.

He appeared in all four preseason games for the Steelers, where, per Pro Football Focus, he racked up 13 total pressures, including five sacks, and 7 tackles (six solo) with 10 stops for zero or negative yardage.

Skipper was waived by the Steelers on September 7 to make room for receiver Johnny Holton.

The  Giants had a roster opening after releasing veteran linebacker Nate Stupar last week. And with outside linebacker Kareem Martin having suffered a sprained knee in Sunday's loss against Dallas, the Giants were a little thin at their linebacker position.