As the deadline approaches for players to opt out of the 2020 season, New York Giants cornerback Sam Beal is reportedly joining the growing list of players who have decided to sit out the campaign amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Beal is the third Giants players to opt out of the 2020 season following left tackle Nate Solder and wide receiver/kick returner Da’Mari Scott.
#Giants CB Sam Beal has officially opted out, according to the transaction wire.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 5, 2020
This is a big blow to a Giants secondary that was already facing plenty of question marks. Beal was expected to compete for the starting role opposite James Bradberry, who signed a three-year deal in free agency this offseason.
The Giants used a third-round pick in the 2018 supplemental draft to get Beal. He wound up missing his entire rookie season due to a shoulder injury he suffered in training camp. Beal then started his second season in 2019 on the injured reserve list with a hamstring injury and wound up playing six games for Big Blue.
With Beal now out of the picture for 2020, the starting spots behind Bradberry will include a competition between Julian Love, Corey Ballentine and rookie Darnay Holmes.