EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Lawrence Tynes has beaten free agent Josh Huston for the New York Giants' kicking job for the moment and safety Will Demps was placed on injured reserve in a pair of surprising moves as the team trimmed its roster on Saturday.
The Giants also traded running back Ryan Grant to Green Bay for an undisclosed draft choice in reducing their roster to 52 players, one less than league's regular-season limit.
The last spot probably will be used for Michael Strahan, the seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end who is expected to report on Monday after holding out for 36 days while deciding whether to retire. He is currently on the reserve-did not report list and does not count on the roster.
Quarterback Tim Hasselbeck., who lost the No. 3 job to Anthony Wright, and defensive tackle Jonas Seawright, who played in nine games last season, also were cut as the Giants released 21 players.
Also released were tight end Charles Davis; receivers Brandon London and Kevin McMahan; offensive linemen Justin Jones, Jon Dunn, Ryan Keenan and Matt Lentz; defensive ends Tommy Davis and Marquis Gunn; defensive tackle Tui Alailafaleula; linebackers James Davis and Tyson Smith; cornerbacks Gerrick McPhearson, Darren Barnett and E.J. Underwood; safety J.R. Reed, and punter Cory Ohnesorge.
Offensive lineman Todd Londot was waived-injured with a neck problem.
But the biggest surprises were Tynes and Demps.
Tynes was acquired in an offseason trade with Kansas City for a conditional seventh-round draft pick. He came to camp having missed a month of training because his wife had a difficult pregnancy. He struggled to find his consistency while battling a couple of nagging injuries.
Tynes' chances of winning the job seemingly were hurt when he made 1-of-3 field goal attempts against the Jets. He made his only field goal attempt this past week against New England, finishing 2-of-4 in the preseason.
Huston was 3-of-4 in the preseason and had the better kickoffs.
Had Tynes not made the team, the Giants would not have owed Kansas City a draft pick.
There is still a chance the Giants could sign a veteran off the waiver wire to kick in the season opener against Dallas next Sunday.
Demps dislocated his elbow in a preseason game at Baltimore on Aug. 19 and was expected to be sidelined at least three weeks. He started all 17 games last season, but lost his starting job to James Butler in the offseason.
Coach Tom Coughlin said rookie Michael Johnson and free agent Craig Dahl earned spots on the roster with impressive play at safety.
"We think both guys will be good on special teams," Coughlin said.
The Giants kept all eight draft picks on their roster. The biggest free agent surprises who made the team were receiver Anthony Mix and defensive tackle Manny Wright, who didn't play football last season because of emotional issues.
The Giants will start the season with a couple of injured players on the roster - special teams star David Tyree (wrist), starting CB Sam Madison (hamstring), backup G Grey Ruegamer (ankle) and backup LB Gerris Wilkinson (knee).
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved
