Overview
- Rico Payton reverted to injured reserve on July 8, 2026 after he cleared waivers following a waived‑injured designation.
- The Giants waived Payton with an injury designation on July 7 to open a roster spot that was used to add defensive lineman C.J. Ravenell.
- Reporting noted Payton posted a photo showing a brace on his right leg, which suggests a recent procedure though the team has not released a medical timeline.
- Payton is a third-year cornerback known primarily for special-teams play who made the Saints' roster as an undrafted rookie and appeared in nine games for New York in 2025.
- The waived‑injured then IR sequence is a common preseason roster move that typically leads either to a season‑long IR stay or an injury settlement and release if the player recovers.