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Giants Cut LB Darius Muasau, DL Zacch Pickens in Final Roster Trims
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- Giants Cut LB Darius Muasau, DL Zacch Pickens in Final Roster Trims
The New York Giants released linebacker Darius Muasau and defensive lineman Zacch Pickens as part of their final roster cuts.
Muasau was a sixth-round pick of the Giants in the 2024 NFL Draft. Over his first two seasons, he played 27 games and recorded 106 tackles and one interception. This preseason, he played just 25 defensive snaps across the Giants' three games and had five tackles, four of which came on special teams.
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Muasau's release was first reported by Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports. Pickens' cut was reported by Jordan Raanan of ESPN.
Darius Muasau was released by the Giants
The Giants releasing Muasau shows just how much more competitive their roster has become under first-year coach John Harbaugh.
The team overhauled its inside linebacker position after finishing 31st in the NFL in rushing defense last season, drafting Arvell Reese and Jack Kelly. Those additions made Muasau expendable and will push veteran Micah McFadden into a role as a special-teamer and backup middle linebacker.
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Releasing Muasau also means the Giants are keeping offseason signing Zaire Barnes , a 2023 sixth-round pick of the Jets . Barnes had an interception and two solo tackles while playing all three preseason games.
The Giants released Zacch Pickens
The Giants may open the season with an entirely different defensive-line room than the one they had in the preseason. Leki Fotu was the first release Saturday, and Pickens — who, like Fotu, had taken first-team reps in the preseason — was the second such cut Sunday.
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The Giants are expected to start the season with Shelby Harris , D.J. Reader and Darius Alexander as their three defensive linemen in a 3-4 alignment.
Pickens had one sack and two solo tackles on 49 defensive snaps and two special-teams plays across all three preseason games. His sack came in the Giants' 26-3 win over the Miami Dolphins .
A 2023 sixth-round pick of the Chicago Bears , Pickens signed with the Giants this offseason after spending the 2025 season with the Kansas City Chiefs .
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Both Pickens' and Fotu's fates were sealed by Friday's acquisition of C.J. Okoye from the Baltimore Ravens . The Giants are also expected to scour the waiver wire to further bolster their defensive-line depth.
The Cincinnati Bengals ' release of McKinnley Jackson and the Ravens' decision to cut defensive lineman Rayshaun Berry could bring new interior linemen to the Giants' roster. Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson will likely be watching Sunday's roster moves closely to identify other options beyond Jackson and Berry.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Aug 30, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
