The New York Giants have released wide receiver Darius Slayton, the team's longest-tenured player, just as Week 1 of the John Harbaugh coaching era begins. The move is notable because Slayton had already made the 53-man roster out of training camp, making his sudden release a surprise, and it signals a significant shake-up in the team's receiver room amid heightened competition for spots this season.

Slayton, a fifth-round pick from Auburn in 2019, spent seven years with the Giants but never developed into a top-tier receiver, hampered by inconsistent output and costly drops. His release frees up roughly £2.2 million ($3 million) in cap space by cutting a £11.8 million ($15.9 million) cap hit, and comes after the Giants added receivers Calvin Austin III, Darnell Mooney and Odell Beckham Jr. in free agency plus rookie Malachi Fields, intensifying pressure on the depth chart. The move may point to top pick Malik Nabers being fit for the Week 1 opener against the Dallas Cowboys, though the club has not confirmed his status.