Although he’s been making steady progress throughout the offseason and preseason, Nabers’ cryptic injury update raised concerns ahead of Week 1 of the 2026 NFL campaign. However, there may be no reason to fret. Just like the Giants reportedly prioritized Odell Beckham Jr. before cutting Slayton, the move could have been telling on Nabers’ status, too. In fact, Slayton’s release could have been the decisive tell Giants fans were waiting for.

“Perhaps the biggest takeaway from Darius Slayton’s release: Bodes well for the prospects of Malik Nabers playing Week 1,”Jordan Raanan of ESPN NFL Nation reported on his X account. “Hard to imagine cutting into your WR depth if Nabers’ health is a concern.“

Whether New York’s star receiver plays on Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season or not, the Cowboys will still leave Nabers and the Giants guessing about the defensive matchups waiting for them at MetLife Stadium on Sunday night.

NY Giants feel confident enough to cut Slayton

Aside from Nabers—and even he is coming off a torn ACL and meniscus injury last year—there aren’t many certainties when it comes to the Giants’ wide receiver depth. It seems every pass-catcher on the roster has questions to answer come the NFL season.

Thus, as Raanan noted, if New York had even more concerns regarding Nabers, it would make little to no sense to release Slayton. He may have had his fair share of drops and is coming off core muscle surgery, but the veteran wideout was still an experienced leader in the locker room and a reliable target at times.

Why would they cut ties with him if not because Nabers is trending toward being fully healed and ready to suit up on Sunday night against the Cowboys? It just makes sense, and there may be no need for the Giants to confirm it at this point in the game week. For the time being, it’s enough of a tell.

Nabers’ stats with Giants

Although his sophomore year in the Big Apple was cut short by a season-ending knee injury, Nabers proved his worth as a rookie coming out of LSU (dare one say Wide Receiver University?) and shining in the Meadowlands—just like a certain teammate of his did over a decade ago.

So far in his NFL career, Nabers has played 19 games for the G-Men, during which he caught 127 passes for 1,475 yards and nine touchdowns. Of those numbers, Nabers’ rookie season comprised 15 games, as well as 109 receptions for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns.

According to Connor Hughes of SNY, Slayton was being considered a healthy scratch because the Giants planned to field Beckham. Releasing Slayton provides him with the opportunity to find another team. As expected, Beckham remained the priority.

The Giants kept Beckham on their initial 53-man roster. While the name naturally draws attention, the final preseason game provided a simple football justification: Beckham finished with three catches for 53 yards against the Jets. John Harbaugh noted afterward that he had done enough to earn a spot on an NFL roster. The Giants agreed, keeping a veteran receiver who can still find space and make plays down the field.

A conviction-driven decision

Nobody expects Beckham to replicate his 2014 form. With Malik Nabers, Darnell Mooney, and Malachi Fields around him, Beckham does not have to carry the entire passing game. His value lies in the role he can fill when defenses tilt coverage toward the top options. A veteran receiver who knows how to uncover on third down or make a tough catch near the sideline has a place on a roster, even without 100 targets.

The Giants kept five receivers on the depth chart. Five is a tight room, meaning every spot had to justify itself. Beckham beat out other options because the staff saw enough in his preseason work to keep him around.

Despite his release, Slayton made it clear that Beckham remains fit and ready to demonstrate his level in the NFL, adding that his experience can make him a key player in crucial moments.

Beckham “still has juice” to deliver big plays, according to Slayton. “I think he’s shown that,“ Slayton said on ESPN. “He can still play for sure.” The tables turned as Slayton was cut, while Beckham remains with the franchise.

“Grateful for my time in New York. Seven years a Giant nothing but love for one of the most prestigious organizations in the NFL,” Slayton wrote on a farewell post on his X account. “Excited to see what’s next.”

Drafted with a fifth-round selection in the 2019 NFL Draft, Slayton had spent his entire career with the organization in East Rutherford. Now, he’s become an unrestricted free agent just days before the start of the 2026 campaign. Still, he isn’t holding that against the Giants‘ front office. At least not publicly.

Slayton’s stats in New York

Although he had lost ground on the team’s depth chart and was surrounded by question marks entering the 2026 NFL season, fans won’t forget some of Slayton’s highlights in New York. However, many won’t let go his drops and lowlights, either.

Through seven years and 106 games donning Big Blue, the wide receiver out of Auburn University finishes his time with the Giants with 296 receptions for 4,435 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns. Since his rookie year, Slayton has 26 drops, perESPN, which is tied for 12th most among wide receivers.

Although his career-best season was the 2023 campaign, in which he played in every game for New York, reeling in 50 passes for 770 yards and four touchdowns, many could argue he looked his best during his rookie year, when he caught 48 passes for 740 yards and eight touchdowns.

Considering how good he looked fresh out of college, the fact that Slayton could never establish himself as the No. 1 wide receiver or break the 1,000-yard mark in a season is still a source of disappointment for him and the organization.

Potential landing spots for Slayton

As his chapter in New York comes to a close, a new one should begin soon for Slayton. Bleacher Report highlights the Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints and Tennessee Titans as teams that could be interested in Slayton, and there is an argument to be made for each of the three teams in need of wide receiver depth.

Another interesting name may be the Las Vegas Raiders, who could use a veteran wideout who can also add height to their group. In reality, Slayton could receive interest from dozens of teams and is expected to land a new job soon ahead of the new NFL season. However, he likely won’t put pen to paper on a contract like the one he had with the Giants, which would have earned him $13 million in 2026.

Reported by the Giants social media, the team ended up releasing Slayton, who was the longer-tenured player on the roster. Slayton’s stock was decreasing heavily during training camp and it ended up costing him the job. This is the new depth chart:

• LWR – Malik Nabers
• RWR – Malachi Fields
• SWR – Darnell Mooney
• Backup WR – Odell Beckham Jr.

Financial receipts of releasing Darius Slayton

Cutting Slayton leaves a massive $12.75 million dead cap hit on the team’s books due to his fully guaranteed base salary structures and signing bonus allocations. However, the big benefit is in 2027, where moving on from his deal clears roughly $10 million in cap obligations.

After all, it’s a move the Giants needed to make given the depth on the position and the fact that Slayton has been regressing hugely. The Giants ended up agreeing that it was better to swallow the hit now but relief funds for the future. Besides, Slayton isn’t holding any grudges against the Giants despite the release.

Slayton’s numbers with the Giants

Since being drafted in 2019, Slayton recorded 296 receptions for 4,435 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns over 106 games. His best season in terms of yards was back in 2023 with 770, though he never tied his rookie season in terms of touchdowns with eight.

“It’s not the first time, probably won’t be the last time. I really don’t pay it too much mind. I just take it day by day,” the veteran WR revealed during his press conference.

Will Slayton leave the G-Men in the short term? That remains uncertain. For now, he trails Odell Beckham Jr. on the depth chart and will look to convince John Harbaugh that he deserves a prominent role on the roster.

Slayton wants to earn his spot in East Rutherford

John Harbaugh made the final decision to carry only five wide receivers on his offense, with Slayton earning a spot among them. Three higher-profile names sit ahead of the veteran on the depth chart, meaning No. 18 will have to step up his efforts to increase his playing time on the field.

The first options Jaxson Dart will rely on will be Malik Nabers, Malachi Fields, and Darnell Mooney. A bit further down the depth chart is Odell Beckham Jr., who will wear No. 13 again in the Big Blue.

Slayton’s latest numbers in New York

Darius Slayton’s 2025 campaign with the Big Blue was pretty much on brand for his vertical-threat role. Across 14 games played, he reeled in 37 receptions on 63 targets for 538 receiving yards, averaging a solid 14.5 yards per catch.

While he kept his status as a big-play engine downfield—highlighted by a season-long 52-yard grab and 198 yards after the catch—he only found the end zone once all year.

Per Paul Schwartz of the New York Post, Slayton is on the bubble. Schwartz also stated Slayton “clearly was not moving the same following surgery to repair a sports hernia.” This is a big indictment.

John Harbaugh recently confirmed if Odell Beckham Jr. has earned a roster spot on the Giants. Well that report is now stronger due to the doubts over Darius Slayton. OBJ could actually take Slayton’s role.

This is shocking due to one factor

At first, Slayton was pretty much a lock to make the roster. However, what seemed to protect Slayton’s place on the Giants was that he is entering the second year of a three-year, $36 million contract. Therefore, parting ways with the wideout would be a blow against the Giants’ salary cap.

In the last preseason game, he caught 4/6 targets for 58 yards, leading the team in receiving yards during a 26-3 win. However, he stayed longer on the field, and that is bad news as all “locked in” players were pulled out way before.

Slayton is coming off a down year

Darius Slayton had his second worst year in the NFL. Barring the 2021 season where he only started five games, 2025 was Slayton’s lowest output with just 538 yards and a career-low one touchdown.

Add that to the fact that he is older and recovering from a hernia surgery, and Slayton’s career might have seen better days. John Harbaugh brings a new regime and that might cause the longest-tenured Giants player on the roster to seek pastures new.

Per Anthony Rivardo of Fireside Giants, the injury of Houston’s Jayden Higgins opened the door for a trade. “The Texans should trade for Darius Slayton. They need help at WR. Maybe they could ship a DT or CB the Giants’ way. Just an idea.”

Rivardo might be on to something. Higgins was the Texans’ WR2, and Slayton is better than what the Texans are signing. According to Ari Meirov, the Texans have signed Sterling Shepard and Zay Jones. Slayton is a better option than those two.

The NY Giants could use a DT/CB

As Rivardo points out, the Texans could give a defensive piece back to the Giants. Given that the Giants need one, but also the Texans have a loaded, elite defense, which means that even a third string on the Texans could be very good and useful for the Giants.

The current Giants’ DTs are Darius Alexander and sixth-round rookie Bobby Jamison-Travis. Meanwhile they have cornerbacks Greg Newsome II and Paulson Adebo. They could really get some help in any of those roles.

The Texans have veteran, and injury prone WRs

Nico Collins is an absolute stud, and he manages to stay relatively healthy. Howeve, the rest of the Texans wideouts are incredibly shaky in terms of availability.

Jayden Higgins is out for the year, Tank Dell has had an absolute nightmare of a career in terms of wild injuries. Then, the veteran signings of Sterling Shepard and Zay Jones lower the team’s ceiling. The Texans should consider Slayton seriously.

Unfortunately for Brian Daboll, the Giants’ offense could take a significant hit, as there’s a strong chance that Darius Slayton will miss this crucial matchup at MetLife Stadium.

The news was reported by NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, who announced the potential absence through his official X account (formerly Twitter), marking a significant blow for New York.

“Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (hamstring) is not expected to play Thursday vs. Eagles, per sources,” he reported via @JFowlerESPN. “Hamstring on a short week is tough. Will be out barring surprising uptick.”

How much do the Giants lose without Slayton?

The New York Giants’ struggling offense has taken another severe blow with the news that wide receiver Darius Slayton is not expected to play in the upcoming Week 6 game against the Eagles. Slayton had already been elevated to the WR1 role following the season-ending injury to Malik Nabers.

Through the first five games of the 2025 season, Slayton was the team’s third-leading receiver, hauling in 12 receptions for 166 yards with a solid 13.8 yards per reception, despite not having a touchdown.

His absence, particularly on a short week, leaves the Giants without their top two receivers. With the team sitting at a 1-4 record, rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart will be forced to rely on Wan’Dale Robinson (23 rec, 267 yds) and tight ends as the remaining receiving options face a daunting task against their divisional rivals.

Key losses in the Giants’ WR room

In a crushing blow to the New York Giants offense, star wide receiver Malik Nabers has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after an MRI confirmed a torn ACL in his right knee. The second-year Pro Bowler suffered the non-contact injury against the Chargers and has been placed on season-ending injured reserve.

Nabers was quickly emerging as the premier target for rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, and his absence leaves a massive void in the team’s passing attack as the Giants must scramble to adjust their game plan and rely on a depleted receiving corps for the rest of the year.

Russell Wilson has become a journeyman in the NFL. After more than a decade in Seattle, he then passed to Denver, Pittsburgh, and now, it’s tasked to be the starting quarterback for the New York Giants. According to reports, he is developing great chemistry with one of the team’s receivers, but not the one you would expect.

Jordan Raanan, from ESPN, reported that Wilson has formed a “really quality connection” with veteran receiver Darius Slayton. While the actual first option will be Malik Nabers, the second-year wideout is out of action right now dealing with a toe injury. Hence, Wilson has had lots of time to practice with Slayton.

Jalin Hyatt is the other name to watch on that WR corp, but he is also battling a minor leg injury. It seems like Slayton has taken advantage of this time to form a strong bond with his new quarterback.

Slayton has always been reliable

Slayton is entering his 7th year in the NFL and he has played solely with the Giants. He has always been a good weapon to have, especially as a secondary target that can exploit medium-to-long routes.

Russell Wilson will be, by far, the most accurate passer Slayton’s ever played with. The Giants need some spark from these two if they want to take a step in the right direction. The franchise is in a tough spot and haven’t had any kind of success in recent years.

The Giants schedule is off to a tough start

While the G-men want to start off well, the schedule might say otherwise. They not only face a tough division like the NFC East, but also face the AFC West which has three playoff contenders. These are the first 5 weeks for the Giants in the 2025 season.

• Week 1: at Washington
• Week 2: at Dallas
• Week 3: vs. Chiefs
• Week 4: vs. Chargers
• Week 5: at New Orleans

It is looking like a 1-4 start for the Giants. It’s in their hands to silence some doubters along the way.

But sometimes, it goes beyond your efforts. Some players just aren’t a good fit for a given scheme, or their teams have a bit of a logjam at their position. Other times, they just need to make room for another guy, or the team doesn’t intend to compete right now.

With that in mind, we expect multiple players to be traded early in the season. That’s why today, we’re going to let you know about the top 3 candidates to find a new home before Week 4 or so.

NFL Rumors: 3 Early-Season Trade Candidates

3. Nelson Agholor

Nelson Agholor reportedly made some big strides in training camp, but he was one of the most underwhelming players last season. Now, the New England Patriots also have DeVante Parker, so there’s not much incentive to keep him.

Agholor makes too much money, and it doesn’t reflect in his game. Bill Belichick may refuse to include draft compensation for any team willing to absorb his contract, but the Patriots may have to swallow that pill sooner rather than later.

2. Kareem Hunt

Kareem Hunt is one of the best backup running backs in the league, if not the best. The Cleveland Browns are just too stacked at that position, and he’s not going to beat Nick Chubb for the bell-cow RB job.

Hunt wants to be traded if he doesn’t get an extension, but the Browns declined his request a couple of weeks ago. Nonetheless, it’s just a matter of time before an RB-needy team makes an offer they can’t refuse.

1. Darius Slayton

Darius Slayton has posted three straight700+ yards seasons despite having Daniel Jones as his QB, so one can only imagine what he could do in a competent offense. Bringing Brian Daboll will help his case, but it may be too late already.

Slayton has fallen behind in the depth chart. Kadarius Toney and Wan’Dale Robinson both have a higher ceiling, so the New York Giants could be tempted to fetch calls for Slayton. He’d be a low-risk pickup for teams needing depth.