EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - The New York Giants have waived safety Chad Jones, their third-round draft pick in 2010 who was seriously injured in an automobile accident two months after being drafted.
In announcing the move on Monday, the Super Bowl champions said Jones was waived after failing his physical.
The Giants also announced that they had signed receiver Brandon Collins of Southeast Louisiana, linebacker Jake Muasau of Georgia State and safety Will Hill of Florida. All three attended a rookie minicamp last week on a tryout basis.
Jones suffered multiple fractures and nerve damage in his lower left leg in the accident in New Orleans on June 2010. He underwent several hours of surgery and has spent the past two years in an arduous rehabilitation regimen. Jones spent the last two seasons on the reserve/non-football injury list.
Jones reported to the team's offseason conditioning program last month to continue his rehabilitation program but is not cleared to participate in football activities.
"We consider Chad to be part of the Giants family, and we'll continue to work with him in his rehab," general manager Jerry Reese said. "As we've said since his accident, we're thankful he is alive and able to lead a normal life."
Rocky Arceneaux, Jones' agent, said the Giants' care and support has far exceeded their obligations and that Jones and his family will be eternally grateful.
Dr. Scott Rodeo, a Giants associate team physician, said Jones' suffered a complex tibial fracture to his left leg with associated injury to muscle, nerves, and vascular structures.
"This type of injury is often limb-threatening, and can sometimes require amputation," Rodeo said. "He has made a remarkable recovery to date, with successful salvage of the leg. However, at this time he has residual sensory loss, muscle weakness, and tenuous soft tissue coverage in the involved lower leg."
Collins played two seasons at Texas before transferring to Southeastern Louisiana. He caught 61 passes for 746 yards and five touchdowns last season.
Muasau was voted by his teammates as Georgia State's Most Valuable Defensive Player in 2010 and 2011. An outside linebacker, he is the school's career leader in tackles for loss (16 1/2) and interceptions (3) and he had 106 career tackles, seven sacks, four fumble recoveries and four forced fumbles.
Hill sat out last season after declaring for the 2011 NFL draft following his junior season and not finding a team. He played in 38 games with the Gators, making 15 starts and recording 144 tackles and four interceptions.
