Jon Beason Released by Giants: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

The New York Giants cut veteran linebacker Jon Beason on Wednesday, via Dan Graziano of ESPN and Conor Orr of NFL.com.  

Graziano noted the release will save the Giants $6 million in cap space for next season. In addition to the release of Geoff Schwartz and Will Beatty, it saves a grand total of $12.2 million, per Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News.

However, the move may not end up being designated as a release, as Graziano and Orr both reported retirement is a possibility for Beason.

The move to part ways doesn't come as much of a surprise, as Beason, 31, has been able to play in just nine total games over the last two seasons due to injuries. In the past five seasons, he's only managed to play more than five games once.

That season came in 2013 after the Giants acquired him from the Carolina Panthers for a seventh-round pick. Beason appeared in 12 games with the Giants (after playing in three games with Carolina) and notched 93 tackles and an interception, appearing to lock down the middle linebacker position.

That earned him a three-year contract extension, but Beason hasn't been able to consistently stay on the field since the 2013 campaign and managed just 18 tackles in five games this season. Given his extensive injury history, it's hard to imagine another team taking a chance on Beason, meaning his NFL career is likely over.

Beason's injuries derailed what was shaping up to be a very promising career. He reached three Pro Bowls between 2008-10 and was voted a first-team All-NFL selection by the Associated Press in 2008, but injuries kept him from being one of the better linebackers of his generation. 

The Giants, meanwhile, remain very thin at middle linebacker, where rookie Uani 'Unga and veteran Jasper Brinkley are the team's options. The Giants will likely solidify the position via free agency or the draft, however, given their mediocre options at the moment.

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