Sources – WR Cole Beasley off Giants practice squad

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — Wide receiver Cole Beasley has been released from the New York Giants’ practice squad at his wishes, sources tell ESPN. The veteran requested his release because he did not see an opportunity to make the active roster.

Beasley, 34, began the season on injured reserve with a quad injury suffered during training camp. But he is healthy and has been training well for several weeks.

The wide receiver still intends to play.

The Giants (1-5) host the Washington Commanders on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

Beasley signed this offseason to a one-year deal and was expected to add another veteran presence to the wide receiver room. He has an existing relationship with coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen from their time with the Buffalo Bills. Beasley served as a sounding board for the quarterbacks and receivers in Daboll’s offense this summer and early this season.

“I have a lot of respect for Cole,” Daboll said. “I just decided the two sides had a good talk, and he’s not going to be on the practice squad.”

Beasley is in his 12th professional season. He has 556 career catches for 5,744 yards and 34 touchdowns with the Bills, Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

But the Giants didn’t have room for him at that point with Darius Slayton, Isaiah Hodgins, Wan’Dale Robinson, Parris Campbell, Jalin Hyatt and Sterling Shepard as six wide receivers on the active roster. They also said this week that they intend to go young at the position, with Hyatt and Robinson pushing Campbell and Shepard out of the rotation last week in Buffalo.

Hyatt is a rookie third-round pick out of Tennessee. Robinson was a second-round pick last year out of Kentucky.

“They’re young, so you have to play them to develop them,” Daboll said.

The Giants also flirted with signing Beasley as a free agent last season, but nothing concrete ever came to fruition.