NFL 2026
Team September 8, 2026 · Touchdown Week Staff

Giants Release Darius Slayton, Their Longest-Tenured Player

Update: Slayton signed with Indianapolis on Monday night, where he reunites with Daniel Jones, after the Colts lost Alec Pierce to a heel injury for several weeks.

The New York Giants released receiver Darius Slayton on Monday, ending a seven-season run that made him the longest-tenured player on the roster. Slayton was due $13 million in 2026 on the three-year, $36 million deal he signed before last season; the release frees roughly $3 million in cap space.

Why now?

Slayton had core-muscle surgery in the spring and never found a role in John Harbaugh's new offense, with Malik Nabers expected back for Week 1 and Odell Beckham Jr., Darnell Mooney and third-round pick Malachi Fields all ahead of him. The Giants were open to a trade, but his salary made one hard to find. As a vested veteran he goes straight to free agency rather than through waivers.

What did he do in New York?

Slayton finishes his Giants career with 296 catches for 4,435 yards and 22 touchdowns, leading the team in receiving four times (2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023). His 26 drops since 2019 rank 12th among receivers over that span. "Grateful for my time in NY. 7 years a Giant nothing but love for one of the most prestigious organizations in the NFL. Excited to see what's next," he wrote.

Where did he land?

With the Colts, who signed him Monday night after receiver Alec Pierce aggravated his surgically repaired heel at Kansas City. Slayton and Daniel Jones were part of the Giants' 2019 draft class, and Slayton topped 700 receiving yards in each of their four seasons together in New York.

Sources

  • ESPN: Giants release WR Darius Slayton, team's longest-tenured player
  • ESPN: Sources: Alec Pierce out weeks; Darius Slayton to join Colts

New York Giants betting odds

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Published September 8, 2026 Updated September 22, 2026 Touchdown Week Staff