Is time running out on cornerback Sam Beal's chance for a roster spot this year?

When the Giants drafted cornerback Sam Beal in the supplemental draft last year, they knew there was a possibility that he might need surgery to repair a shoulder ailment.
Beal did need surgery, but the hope was after an impressive spring, that the former Western Michigan standout, who remained with the team doing all he was allowed to do while on injured reserve, would be ready to hit the ground running in 2019.
Such has not been the case for Beal, who has missed practically all of training camp with a groin injury.
With rookie DeAndre Baker having sewed up the once open left cornerback spot, a position for which Beal was supposed to compete this year, and with the rapid development of Corey Ballentine and Julian Love, could Beal could find himself on the outside looking in?
“We’re just going to have to see where he is physically,” head coach Pat Shurmur said Tuesday.
“We drafted him for a reason. We would like to see him be on our team. We’ll just see where he’s at, and then we’ll make a decision at the 53 (man roster).”
Whereas draft picks would usually be placed on scholarship regardless of what type of pre-season they had, the duo of general manager Dave Gettleman and Shurmur have eliminated that practice.
While it’s believed the Giants would like to carry Beal regardless if he’s healthy, if injuries develop at other positions necessitating the carrying of an extra player or two, Beal could find himself on the inside looking in.
“We’re going to have to see,” Shurmur repeated.
“Again, it’s something we’re going to have to evaluate as we go forward. He’s getting healthier by the day. It’s just unfortunate that we haven’t been able to see him do much. But unfortunately, that’s the way it is sometimes.”

Patricia Traina has covered the New York Giants for 30+ seasons, and her work has appeared in multiple media outlets, including The Athletic, Forbes, Bleacher Report, and the Sports Illustrated media group. As a credentialed New York Giants press corps member, Patricia has also covered five Super Bowls (three featuring the Giants), the annual NFL draft, and the NFL Scouting Combine. She is the author of The Big 50: The Men and Moments that Made the New York Giants. In addition to her work with New York Giants On SI, Patricia hosts the Locked On Giants podcast. Patricia is also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America.
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