Cole Beasley won’t be the answer to the Giants’ search for offense.
Beasley asked for and was granted his release from the practice squad Friday, The Post confirmed, after not playing in a regular-season game.
There was no path to the field for Beasley, 34, given that the Giants already have deemphasized the roles of veterans Isaiah Hodgins, Sterling Shepard and Parris Campbell in favor of developing rookie Jalin Hyatt and second-year pro Wan’Dale Robinson alongside Darius Slayton. Shepard played one offensive snap (as a run-blocker) and Campbell played zero last week in the loss to the Bills.
“I have a lot of respect for Cole,” head coach Brian Daboll said before practice Friday.
It would have been difficult — and maybe interpreted by the locker room as favoritism — for the Giants to use Beasley ahead of others on the 53-man roster.
Cole Beasley, who was released by the Giants on Wednesday, makes a catch during training camp. Getty ImagesBeasley started the season on injured reserve after hurting his quad midway through training camp. He was released before the season, re-signed to the practice squad and removed from injured reserve on Oct. 10.
“He’s healthy,” Daboll said.
But Beasley didn’t get elevated to the active roster to play against the Bills — his former team — last week even as the Giants have gone 205 straight minutes without scoring a touchdown. The unspoken interpretation is that he was stashed as an insurance policy if Shepard, Robinson or Campbell — all of whom have injury histories — went down.
It is interesting that Beasley asked out when times are toughest for Daboll. The two built a close relationship over three seasons together with the Bills, but it is no surprise that Beasley didn’t want to wait around feeling underutilized considering that he pulled a similar move on the Buccaneers and briefly retired last season.
Cole Beasley was released by the Giants on Oct. 20, 2023. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST“I’ll keep our private conversations private,” Daboll said.
Beasley has played in 153 games with 51 starts across 11 seasons. He has tallied 556 receptions for 5,744 yards and 34 touchdowns in his career.
NFL Network first reported Beasley’s departure.
The Giants ruled out LT Andrew Thomas (hamstring), C John Michael Schmitz (shoulder) and OT Matt Peart (shoulder). QB Daniel Jones (neck), RT Evan Neal (ankle) and CB Adoree’ Jackson (neck) are questionable.
Neal took a step in the wrong direction by not practicing Friday after he was a limited participant Thursday.
The Commanders’ active roster is at full strength and only CB Kendall Fuller was a limited practice participant Friday.
Unless he is a healthy scratch, safety Bobby McCain will play against his former team.
He played two seasons with Washington and had a pick-six at MetLife Stadium in 2021, but was released in March with one year left on his contract.
“Nothing but respect for Washington,” McCain said. “I miss the guys.”
McCain practiced against Commanders quarterback Sam Howell last season, when the rookie led the offensive scout team.
“He’s a gunslinger,” McCain said. “The thing that surprises you is that he’s very mobile — not necessarily the fastest guy but he’s really slippery. He makes plays, and I knew he was going to be pretty good.”
