Larry Donnell Re-Signs with Giants: Latest Contract Details, Comments, Reaction

The New York Giants announced Tuesday that tight end Larry Donnell received medical clearance to return to the field, and he signed a new contract with the team. 

Donnell played in eight games last year, catching 29 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns.

The team placed the 27-year-old on season-ending injured reserve in December after he suffered a neck injury. On February 26, the New York Post's Paul Schwartz reported the Giants were worried Donnell's career could be over as a result of the problem.

New York tendered Donnell to a $1.67 million non-guaranteed contract on March 3. The deal gave the team some cover in the event he couldn't return to the NFL, but Donnell's agent, Tamika Cheatham, confirmed on March 9 he was good to go physically. The Record's Art Stapleton reported Tuesday the Giants' medical team didn't clear the player until last week, though.

Will Tye filled in well for Donnell last year, recording 42 receptions, 464 yards and three touchdowns. Pro Football Focus graded Tye slightly higher (64.1) than his veteran counterpart (63.6).

Having Donnell healthy will be a nice boost for the Giants. They don't have a lot of depth at tight end going into the 2016 season. Jerome Cunningham is largely unproven in the NFL, and the team didn't re-sign Daniel Fells, whose complications from a MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infection likely ended his career.

Donnell's return also allows New York to avoid having to scour the free-agent market for a replacement at a point in the offseason when the pickings are pretty slim.