Giants Claim Johnie Cooks on Waivers

The New York Giants, looking to take up some slack for the absence of Lawrence Taylor during his drug rehabilitation, claimed linebacker Johnie Cooks on waivers from the Indianapolis Colts Thursday.

Cooks, the second player chosen in the 1982 draft, lost his job with the Colts when the team obtained All-Pro linebacker Fredd Young in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks.

The Giants also placed offensive tackle Karl Nelson, who has a sprained ankle, on injured reserve and signed defensive end Ron McLean, a ninth-round pick of the New York Jets in 1987.