NFL Rumors: Jalen Mills Released by Giants After Calf Injury Recovery

The New York Giants released cornerback Jalen Mills on Thursday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The Giants had placed Mills on the non-football injury list in July due to a calf problem, which prevented him from working out with the team in training camp.

On Tuesday, head coach Brian Daboll struck an optimistic tone when asked about Mills' status.

"He's getting closer. He's getting closer," Daboll told reporters.

Schefter reported Mills "is healthy now and is expected to draw interest."

The 30-year-old spent his first five seasons in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles before signing with the New England Patriots in 2021. In 17 appearances for New England in 2023, he had 45 tackles and one pass breakup.

At the very least, Mills looked like a solid addition for a secondary that lost Xavier McKinney to free agency. He could line up at cornerback or fill the void at safety left by McKinney.

Instead, the Giants appear content to lean on youth to power their pass defense.

Deonte Banks, Cor'Dale Flott, Dru Phillips, Dane Belton and Jason Pinnock occupy the five starting secondary spots in New York's unofficial depth chart. Phillips was a third-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft, while Pinnock is the most experienced despite only turning 25 in June.

From the outside, it looks like the front office is fully embracing a rebuild in 2024.