The Giants were planning to place TE Jake Ballard (knee surgery) on the PUP list before he was claimed off waivers by the Patriots.

That's almost certainly where he'll end up in New England before presumably landing on injured reserve. Per Profootballtalk.com, the Patriots were the only team to place a claim on the 24-year-old tight end. If Ballard doesn't take the field in 2012, he'll be an exclusive rights free agent next offseason after catching 38 passes for 604 yards and four touchdowns in 2011.

Jake Ballard's agent says the Giants have every intention of re-signing his client.

The Giants waived/injured Ballard after he failed a physical. He'll spend the season rehabbing the torn ligaments in his knees and look to latch back on with the Giants for the 2013 season. Remember that Martellus Bennett was only signed to a one-year deal back in March.

Giants TE Jake Ballard (microfracture, ACL surgery) concedes his best chance to return in 2012 is by mid-season, "if at all."

Ballard will start training camp as well as the regular season on the PUP list. Having signed Martellus Bennett to a one-year contract, the Giants aren't going to count on a contribution from Ballard until the 2013 season.