When the Giants gather today for their first postseason practice, there will be two new players on the roster.
The Giants yesterday signed cornerback Rashad Barksdale off their practice squad and linebacker Rich Scanlon off the street.
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Barksdale replaces veteran Sam Madison, who was placed on season-ending injured reserve after breaking his right ankle in the third quarter of Sunday’s loss in Minnesota.
Scanlon replaces linebacker Edmond Miles, who was waived.
The 6-foot, 208-pound Barksdale is the first player from the University at Albany – where the Giants have held training camp since 1996 – signed to the Giants’ active roster.
He spent last season with the Chiefs, and originally was a 2007 sixth-round draft pick of the Eagles.
After a two-year baseball career at Albany, Barksdale played just one season of football, making the team as a walk-on.
The 6-2, 249-pound Scanlon has strong local ties.
He was the New Jersey Defensive Player of the Year at Bergen Catholic High School, and played in college at Syracuse.
Scanlon was brought in to bolster the special-teams units, where he has 51 career tackles playing 31 games for the Chiefs and nine last year for the Titans.
Madison completed his 12th NFL season – his third with the Giants – playing in only seven games.
Miles was signed Dec. 17 and played in the final two games on special teams.