Giants claim former Raiders punter Johnny Townsend, waive Ryan Anderson

Townsend was a fifth-round pick in 2018

8/14/2019, 10:40 PM
Sep 16, 2018; Denver, CO, USA; Oakland Raiders punter Johnny Townsend (5) punts the ball in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports / Isaiah J. Downing
Sep 16, 2018; Denver, CO, USA; Oakland Raiders punter Johnny Townsend (5) punts the ball in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports / Isaiah J. Downing

Two nights before the Giants' second preseason game against the Chicago Bears, the team has made a change at punter.

The Giants claimed Johnny Townsend off waivers from the Raiders.

To make room for Townsend, the team waived rookie punter Ryan Anderson, an undrafted rookie out of Rutgers. 

 

Townsend was drafted by the Raiders in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Florida. He punted 70 times and was 31st in the NFL with a 42.3-yard gross average and 29th with a 38.3-yard net average. He placed 17 punts inside the 20-yard line. He also ran for 42 yards on a fake punt against the Chargers on Nov. 11. He was waived by the Raiders on Tuesday.

The Giants still have Riley Dixon on the roster as well, so Townsend and Dixon will likely battle it out for the starting job over the next few weeks.  

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