Ray-Ray McCloud is on the move again.
The former Clemson wide receiver was released by the New York Giants on Wednesday, adding another stop to what has been a winding NFL journey for the veteran return specialist.
Brief stint with the Giants
McCloud joined the Giants’ practice squad on Oct. 23 after being released by the Atlanta Falcons two days earlier. He was elevated to the active roster and appeared in two games for New York, recording one catch for 5 yards against the San Francisco 49ers on Nov. 2.
His time in New York ends after less than two months, sending the 5-foot-9, 190-pound receiver and return man back into free agency as teams manage late-season roster shuffling.
Falcons chapter ends “performance-based”
Before landing in New York, McCloud signed with the Falcons ahead of the 2024 season following two years with the 49ers (2022-23). He previously spent time with the Pittsburgh Steelers (2020-21), Buffalo Bills (2019-20) and Carolina Panthers (2019), beginning his career with the Bills as a sixth-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
In Atlanta’s first four games this season, McCloud had six catches for 64 yards and contributed on special teams with two punt returns and four kickoff returns. He was a healthy scratch for the Falcons’ next game and later sent home with what the team termed an “excused absence” before their Week 7 matchup against the 49ers.
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris later said McCloud’s release from the team was “performance-based” and not related to discipline.
Veteran production, special teams value
Entering the 2025 campaign, McCloud had logged 94 NFL games from 2018-24, totaling 152 receptions for 1,454 yards and two touchdowns. He also added 271 rushing yards and a touchdown on 25 carries, along with 1,326 punt-return yards on 138 returns and 2,799 kickoff-return yards on 122 returns — production that underscores his value as a versatile special teams weapon.
Clemson roots
At Clemson, McCloud played from 2015-17 and was a key piece in the Tigers’ receiver rotation and return game. He finished his college career with 127 receptions for 1,226 yards and four touchdowns over 40 games (20 starts). He also returned 50 punts for 485 yards and a touchdown, plus four kickoffs for 148 yards.
Now, the former Tiger will wait to see if another NFL team calls, offering yet another chapter in a career built on versatility and resilience.