NFL
Petoskey native Joel Wilson has a new NFL home. Find out where he’s heading
NEW YORK — Petoskey native Joel Wilson is heading back to the state of New York.
Well, New Jersey and East Rutherford to be exact, but you get the point.
Wilson, a free agent tight end in the National Football League, was picked up Tuesday night by the New York Giants and added to the practice squad.
Now in his second NFL season, Wilson was originally picked up out of the NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints, then spent the 2023 season between the Buffalo Bills and Green Bay Packers practice squads.
He spent the entire offseason with the Packers after signing a reserve futures contract in January. He was later released by the Packers in August, as they opted to keep blocking tight end Messiah Swinson on the practice squad.
The Giants worked out four tight ends Monday, which included Armani Rogers, Stephen Sullivan, Teagan Quitoriano and Wilson.
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To make room for Wilson, tight end Lawrence Cager was placed on the injured reserve Monday by the Giants.
An undrafted free agent out of Central Michigan University, Wilson, 6-4, 242, made six catches for 42 yards during the preseason with the Packers, leading all tight ends on the team in both categories.
The Giants active roster currently has three tight ends, including Theo Johnson, Chris Mahertz and Daniel Bellinger.
New York is off to a 1-3 start to the season and will welcome the Cowboys for a nationally televised Thursday Night Football game on Prime.
Contact or send game stats/info to Sports Editor Drew Kochanny at dkochanny@petoskeynews.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DrewKochanny, and Instagram, @drewkochanny