Giants’ player retires suddenly after only 4 days with team

The New York Giants have experienced one of the strangest roster developments of the NFL preseason. Cornerback Sam Webb has been placed on the reserve/retired list, bringing his time with the Giants to an abrupt end just four days after he joined the organization.

Webb signed with New York on Thursday, participated in one practice and then appeared in Saturday’s preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings.

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Webb’s Giants tenure barely beganJul 30, 2026; White Sulphur Springs, WV, USA; A New York Giants player holds his helmet during training camp at The Greenbrier Resort Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images

Webb didn’t even have enough time to settle into his new surroundings before deciding to walk away.

The 28-year-old played 14 snaps in the Giants’ preseason matchup with Minnesota before his retirement became official.

Being placed on the reserve/retired list removes Webb from the Giants’ active roster while allowing the team to retain his rights should he eventually decide to return to football.

It’s an especially sudden ending considering Webb had just recently been trying to continue his NFL career. He had also spent time with the Denver Broncos earlier this preseason before joining New York.

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Short NFL career comes to an end

Webb entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Missouri Western in 2022. He went on to play for the Las Vegas Raiders, Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns, along with his brief stops in Denver and New York.

Over his NFL career, Webb appeared in 36 games, making five starts. He finished with 45 tackles, four pass deflections, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one defensive touchdown.

Now, after spending only four days with the Giants, Webb has decided his playing career is over.

It’s certainly an unusual way for an NFL career to end, but for the Giants, it means another roster spot has suddenly opened up in a secondary that has already dealt with several personnel changes this preseason.

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