NFL Notes: Giants cut James Jones, Jameel McClain

Packers Bring Back James Jones / Final 53-Man Roster Thoughts ᴴᴰ

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants have cut middle linebacker and leading tackler Jameel McClain in reaching the 53-man roster limit.

The Giants also announced Saturday that fullback Henry Hynoski, one of the few remaining links to the Giants" 2012 Super Bowl win, also had his contract terminated.

Receiver James Jones, cornerback Chykie Brown, safety Jeromy Miles, and linebacker Ashlee Palmer and tight end Adrien Robinson, a fourth-round draft choice in 2012, were the other most prominent cuts.

Also waived were offensive linemen Adam Gettis, Emmett Cleary, and Sean Donnelly; receiver Julian Talley; running back Kenneth Harper; quarterback Ricky Stanzi; defensive linemen Dominique Hamilton and Brad Bars; linebacker Cole Farrand; defensive backs Chandler Fenner and C.J. Conway; and kicker Chris Boswell.

Receiver Corey Washington (shoulder) was waived/injured. Safety Nat Berhe (calf) and offensive lineman Brett Jones (knee) were placed on injured reserve (see full story).

Redskins: RGIII makes 53-man rosterWASHINGTON -- Robert Griffin III is on the Washington Redskins" 53-man roster.

NFL teams had to meet a deadline to reduce their rosters by Saturday afternoon, and Griffin -- who lost his starting job to Kirk Cousins in the preseason -- was not among the players let go by the Redskins.

Griffin has still not been cleared to play following his Aug. 20 concussion in an exhibition game against Detroit.

The Redskins kept three quarterbacks: Cousins, 2012 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Griffin, and Colt McCoy (see full story).

Cowboys: Weeden remains only backup to RomoIRVING, Texas -- Quarterbacks Dustin Vaughan and Jameill Showers have been cut by the Dallas Cowboys, leaving Brandon Weeden as the only quarterback on the 53-man roster behind Tony Romo.

In addition to the 20 players cut Saturday by Dallas, defensive end Greg Hardy and linebacker Rolando McClain were put on the reserve/suspended list. Both face four-game NFL suspensions, Hardy under the league"s personal conduct policy and McClain under the substance-abuse policy.

Vaughan made the 53-man roster out of camp as an undrafted free agent and third quarterback last season, and had played all of the final preseason game Thursday night. Vaughan and Showers are eligible for the Cowboys" practice squad if they clear waivers.

Among other cuts were running backs Ben Malena and Gus Johnson, and receiver A.J. Jenkins, a 2012 first-round pick by San Francisco signed in May (see full story).

Browns: Pryor makes team as WRCLEVELAND -- Former Ohio State and Oakland quarterback Terrelle Pryor has made the Browns" roster as a wide receiver despite not catching a pass during the preseason.

The 26-year-old Pryor was slowed by a hamstring injury during training camp and only made his exhibition debut Thursday in Chicago. Pryor did not have a reception, but he displayed his versatility by taking two snaps at quarterback and blocking on the punt team. The Browns see enough potential to keep him on their 53-man roster.

The team took Pryor over rookie wide receiver Vince Mayle, a fourth-round pick.

The Browns also released quarterback Thad Lewis, leaving them with just starter Josh McCown and Johnny Manziel, who has resumed throwing after being limited by a sore elbow the past few weeks. Pryor, who made 10 starts for the Raiders, could serve as Cleveland"s third quarterback (see full story).

49ers: Former rugby star Hayne makes teamSANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Former Australian rugby league star Jarryd Hayne says on Twitter he has made the cut with the San Francisco 49ers, earning a spot on their 53-man roster Saturday as coach Jim Tomsula finalized his team heading into the regular season.

The 27-year-old rookie return man made good on his goal nearly a year after leaving his old sport to chase a new NFL dream across the world. The roster was to be announced Saturday.

"IT ALWAYS WORKS OUT! I thank G*d for WHAT HE has done and going to do on this incredible journey!! I"m on the 53 MAN ROSTER FOR THE (hash)49ers," Hayne wrote on Twitter.

His quest captivated a country more than 7,000 miles away.

Tomsula said last weekend following the third exhibition game at Denver that he had seen all he needed from Hayne, including all those countless hours of tape he watched of him as a rugby player.

He left the National Rugby League last fall, then signed a three-year contract with San Francisco in March as an undrafted free agent in a deal he said included $100,000 in guaranteed money. Hayne spent the previous nine years -- from 2006-14 -- with the Parramatta Eels (see full story).

Jets: Flynn, Johnson, Babin cutNEW YORK -- The New York Jets are down to two healthy quarterbacks.

Matt Flynn and Josh Johnson were among the Jets" cuts Saturday as they pared their roster to the mandatory 53-player limit.

Flynn and Johnson were signed this summer to compete for a backup role behind Ryan Fitzpatrick, who became the starter after Geno Smith had his jaw broken on Aug. 11 by a punch from then-teammate Ikemefuna Enemkpali. Smith was expected to miss at least the first four games of the regular season.

The Jets" only other healthy quarterback is rookie Bryce Petty, a fourth-round pick out of Baylor.

Flynn was signed on Aug. 19, but dealt with a hamstring issue for most of his short stint with the Jets before making his debut in the preseason finale against Philadelphia. He went 10 of 14 for 136 yards with two TDs and an interception, while Johnson was 7 of 12 for 82 yards and had 76 yards rushing on seven carries in his first action with New York after being signed on Aug. 27 (see full story).

Source: http://www.csnphilly.com/football-philadelphia-eagles/nfl-notes-giants-cut-james-jones-jameel-mcclain