What happened: Paul Schwartz of the New York Post reports Darius Slayton is on the roster bubble heading into New York's final cuts. Schwartz writes Slayton is not moving the same following surgery to repair a sports hernia, and Slayton logged 33 snaps in the preseason finale against the Jets, staying in after quarterback Jameis Winston gave way to Brandon Allen. Odell Beckham Jr., back with the Giants for the first time since 2018, played the same 33 snaps, while Isaiah Hodgins and Dalen Cambre each logged 37.
Why it matters: Slayton is due $12.25 million this season with $9.75 million already fully guaranteed; releasing him would leave a $12.75 million cap charge in 2026 and $3 million more in 2027. The Giants' preseason depth chart still lists him as a starter alongside Malik Nabers, setting up a roster crunch at receiver as the team finalizes its 53-man group.
By the numbers: He signed a three-year, $36 million contract last year and carries $500,000 in per-game active-roster bonuses this season.
What to watch: New York's roster cuts will determine whether Slayton, now in his eighth season, stays on the 53-man roster or is released or traded.