Former Ironmen football standout Marcellus Johnson did not survive the NFL’s 53-man roster cut deadline on Tuesday, Aug. 27.
Despite being waived by the New York Giants as the team trimmed its active roster to 53 players, the 24-year-old’s hopes of helping the  Giants return to a Super Bowl remain alive.

Johnson, who signed a three-year contract with the Giants as an undrafted free agent in April, was added to the team’s practice squad on Wednesday, a day after being cut.

NFL rules allow teams to keep 16 players on the practice squad—10 rookies or second-year players and six veterans.

The practice squad provides the 6-foot-4, 307-pound offensive tackle with several opportunities to see game action as practice squad players are eligible to appear in games.

Teams can elevate up to two practice squad players to the 55-man game day roster, though only 48 players can participate in a game.

Practice squad players can be promoted to the game day roster a maxiumum of three times before being added to the 53-man main roster.

Additionally, Johnson could be signed by any of the NFL’s other 31 teams, as franchises can acquire players from any practice squad by signing them directly to their main roster.

Johnson’s, whose initial contract included $170,000 in guaranteed money, will earn $12,500 per week as a member of the Giants’ practice squad under the NFL’s current collective bargaining agreement.