Sources: WR Cole Beasley Released from Giants Practice Squad
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Wide receiver Cole Beasley has been released from the New York Giants practice squad, according to sources. The veteran player requested his release due to a lack of opportunity to make the active roster.
Beasley, who began the season on injured reserve due to a quad injury sustained during training camp, has been healthy and performing well in practice for several weeks. Despite being released from the practice squad, the 34-year-old receiver still intends to continue playing.
The Giants, currently with a 1-5 record, are set to host the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
Beasley was signed by the Giants during the offseason on a one-year contract. The team hoped that he would bring a veteran presence to the wide receiver room. Beasley has a previous relationship with coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen from their time together with the Buffalo Bills. During the summer and early part of this season, Beasley served as a sounding board for quarterbacks and wide receivers in Daboll’s offense.
With 556 career catches for 5,744 yards and 34 touchdowns, Beasley has had a successful 12-year professional career with the Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
However, the Giants currently have a crowded wide receiver group, with Darius Slayton, Isaiah Hodgins, Wan’Dale Robinson, Parris Campbell, Jalin Hyatt, and Sterling Shepard occupying the six spots on the active roster. The team has also expressed their intention to prioritize younger players at the position, with Hyatt and Robinson pushing Campbell and Shepard out of the rotation in their previous game against the Buffalo Bills.
Both Hyatt and Robinson are young talents, with Hyatt being a rookie third-round pick from Tennessee and Robinson being a second-round pick from Kentucky last year.
According to Daboll, the decision to go young at the wide receiver position is aimed at developing the young players. “They’re young, so you’ve got to play them to develop them,” he said.
This is not the first time the Giants have shown interest in Beasley. The team flirted with signing him as a free agent last season, but no concrete deal materialized.
In conclusion, wide receiver Cole Beasley has been released from the New York Giants practice squad at his own request. Despite being healthy and performing well in practice, Beasley did not see an opportunity to make the active roster. The Giants, who are focusing on developing their young wide receivers, currently have a crowded roster at the position. Beasley, with his extensive experience and success in the league, will now explore other opportunities to continue his professional career.