The Giants needed to cut the roster from 85 to 53 to today, and in the process they put veteran quarterback Sage Rosenfels on injured reserve and waived 2010 draft picks linebacker Phillip Dillard, linebacker Adrian Tracy and punter Matt Dodge.

Three undrafted rookies made the roster: fullback Henry Hynoski, linebacker Spencer Paysinger and linebacker Mark Herzlich.

Among the final cuts were veteran wide receiver Michael Clayton and tackle Jamon Meredith, both of whom spent part of the 2010 season with the team. The Giants elected to keep defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy over Gabe Watson after signing both during the offseason. The Giants also waived safety Brian Jackson injured.

Rosenfels, who missed three preseason games because of strep throat that affected his back, sounds now as if his health improved.

"Compared to how I felt, I feel like I felt the first day of training camp," Rosenfels said.

Although the roster will likely change, here is the first version of the Giants' 53:

Offense (25)

Quarterbacks (2): Eli Manning, David Carr

Running Backs (4): Ahmad Bradshaw, Brandon Jacobs, D.J. Ware, Da'Rel Scott

Fullbacks (2): Bear Pascoe, Henry Hynoski (Pascoe also plays tight end)

Wide Receivers (6): Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham, Domenik Hixon, Devin Thomas, Victor Cruz, Jerrel Jernigan

Tight Ends (2): Travis Beckum, Jake Ballard

Offensive Linemen (9): David Diehl, Chris Snee, Kareem McKenzie, Will Beatty, David Bass, Stacy Andrews, Mitch Petrus, James Brewer, Kevin Boothe





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Defense (25)

Defensive Linemen: (8): Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora, Chris Canty, Linval Joseph, Jason Pierre-Paul, Rocky Bernard, Dave Tollefson, Jimmy Kennedy

Linebackers (7): Mathias Kiwanuka, Jonathan Goff, Michael Boley, Jacquian Williams, Mark Herzlich, Greg Jones, Spencer Paysinger.

Cornerbacks (5): Corey Webster, Aaron Ross, Michael Coe, Brian Williams, Prince Amukamara

Safeties (5): Antrel Rolle, Deon Grant, Kenny Phillips, Tyler Sash, Derrick Martin



Specialists (3)

Kicker (1): Lawrence Tynes

Punter (1): Steve Weatherford

Long Snapper (1): Zak DeOssie

Zach Berman: zberman@starledger.com