Giants roster moves: Nick Gates to IR, practice squad protections announced

Nick Gates’ season is officially over. The New York Giants placed Gates, a team captain and starting offensive lineman, on IR Tuesday after Gates suffered a left leg fracture last Thursday vs. the Washington Football Team.

After 17 straight starts at center, Gates was making his first career start at left guard on Thursday in place of the injured Shane Lemieux.

Head coach Joe Judge had said on Monday that he hopes when his health allows that Gates will be a presence around the team.

“Nick’s a key figure for us, he really is. He’s a guy that the entire time we’ve been here he’s been a team-first guy, he’s been an all-in guy, he’s a guy that comes to work every day with a great amount of energy and enthusiasm. We’re still going to rely on him to do that. As he gets better and comes through his healing process, we want to keep him as involved with the team as possible,” Judge said. “This guy was voted captain by his teammates for a reason and that’s for leadership. This guy has done a lot of unselfish things and I believe he’ll continue to have an impact on the team.”

The Giants did not immediately announce a replacement for Gates on the 53-man roster. They currently have only seven offensive linemen.

After losing practice squad offensive tackle Jackson Barton to the Las Vegas Raiders on Tuesday, the Gints announced four practice squad protections for their Week 3 game against the Atlanta Falcons:

• WR C.J. Board
• OT Korey Cunningham
• DT David Moa
• TE Chris Myarick