A couple of undrafted rookies make Giants' 53-man roster

The newbie from Newberry is officially a Giant.

Preseason sensation Corey Washington, an undrafted rookie receiver from Division II Newberry College, made the first draft of the 53-man roster. After scoring four touchdowns -- three of them game-winners -- in five games this summer, Washington was told he made the team Saturday morning. The team announced it in the afternoon.

"Thank God I made it," he wrote on Twitter.

Washington and defensive end Kerry Wynn are the only two undrafted rookies who made the team.

"They're great stories and that's what this thing is all about," coach Tom Coughlin said. "When a young guy comes along and they look like they've got a high end, you're excited about it. Especially when they work hard, they study hard, it's important to them and they have great desire. You can see it on some of these kids' faces that this means so much to them, and quite frankly, it re-energizes me."

Washington, whose 6-4 frame makes him a good red-zone target, caught 10 passes for 155 yards in five games this summer. Wynn, who beat out veteran Israel Idonije for the final spot on the defensive line, had two sacks in five games.

"I like the fact that he has very good size [6-5, 264] and he runs well," Coughlin said of Wynn. "He flashed in the preseason and he is a young prospect that works hard, studies hard. We think he has a lot of upside."

Cornerback Bennett Jackson, a sixth-round pick from Notre Dame, was the only 2014 draft choice waived by the Giants. He likely will be added to the 10-man practice squad if he clears waivers.

Besides the two undrafted rookies, the Giants kept two surprise players who were out of football last season. Tight end Daniel Fells and wide receiver Preston Parker spent 2013 without a team and wound up making the 2014 Giants.

Coughlin said Parker's presence is due in large part to his punt-return abilities while first-round draft pick Odell Beckham Jr. continues to recover from a hamstring injury.

"Right now," Coughlin said, "that's very critical for us."

Of the 53 players currently on the roster, 24 were not members of the opening team a year ago. Quarterback Curtis Painter, fullback John Conner, running back Michael Cox and receiver Julian Talley were the only four who played for the Giants last year and did not make the team this year.

Other moves the Giants made to trim their roster to 53 were placing wide receivers Mario Manningham (calf) and Trindon Holliday (hamstring) on injured reserve, terminating the contract of tight end Kellen Davis and waiving running back Kendall Gaskins, tackles Mark Asper and Adam Gress, guard Jamaal Johnson-Webb, linebackers Terrell Manning and Dan Fox, defensive backs Chandler Fenner and Thomas Gordon, defensive tackle Kelcy Quarles and defensive end Jordan Stanton.

The Giants also put offensive lineman Eric Herman and cornerback Jayron Hosley on the reserve/suspended list. Both are serving four-game sentences, Herman for violating the performance-enhancing-drug policy and Hosley for violating the substance-abuse policy.

The Giants may bring one of those players back this week. They can employ the short-term injured reserve Tuesday, and it seems as if they will use it on guard Geoff Schwartz (toe), who currently counts on the 53.