Young TE anxiously awaits fate

Matt LaCosse in many ways is the embodiment of hundreds of young men who spent the spring and summer on NFL rosters, practicing, working out, signing autographs, wearing the team uniforms, bonding with teammates and playing in preseason games.

LaCosse, 24, has a modicum of real NFL experience, having played in two games in 2015 for the Giants. He even caught three passes. More than once, LaCosse has flashed the size, speed and talent required of an NFL player. On Saturday, he learns if he did enough to survive the massive cut-down from 90 to 53 players.

“I played well and I think I showed them I could play,” LaCosse said Thursday night after the Giants beat the Patriots 40-38 in the preseason finale for both teams. “I’m not going to worry about it. I’m going to enjoy this win and go see my fiancée and my dad and have a good time.”

No doubt there will be anxious moments for LaCosse as time ticks away and Saturday’s 4 p.m. deadline nears. If the final impression is the most lasting, more power to LaCosse, who caught two touchdown passes — one apiece from Geno Smith and Josh Johnson — to help the Giants to a 40-38 victory in a game in which the Giants used only one starter, Darian Thompson, and that was a cameo, seven-snap appearance.

It was an impressive yet incomplete summer for LaCosse, who made plays in practice but not in games — until the last one. He was on the field for 32 snaps and made the most of them, catching all five passes thrown his way for 60 yards and the two touchdowns.

“It was nice to finally let them see me play when the lights are on, too,” LaCosse said.

“It was good to see LaCosse produce,” coach Ben McAdoo said Friday. “We’ve been seeing that all along in practice. It’s nice for it to show up on game day.”

Jerell Adams, entering his second season, appears to be safe at the No. 3 tight end behind Rhett Ellison and Evan Engram. If the Giants keep four, either LaCosse or Tye is the odd man out. Tye lost a fumble early against the Patriots but recovered to catch four passes for 48 yards.

The next days and hours will draw LaCosse closer and closer to learning his football fate.

“My mom told me growing up not to worry about things you can’t control,” LaCosse said.

Asked how he is feeling about his chances, he said: “I’ll let you know Saturday.”