The New York Giants moved on from Janoris Jenkins on Friday after the injured cornerback tweeted a slur toward a fan who had been critical of him earlier this week.
“This was an organizational decision,” coach Pat Shurmur said in a statement from the team.
“From ownership to management to our football operations, we felt it was in the best interests of the franchise and the player. Obviously, what happened this week, and the refusal to acknowledge the inappropriate and offensive language, was the determining factor.”
The Giants waived Jenkins with an injury designation after he suffered an ankle injury Monday night against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Jenkins, in an apparent reaction to the announcement, tweeted: “Best news ever.. Thank you”
After his initial tweet on Wednesday, in which he called the fan a “retard,” he followed up with, “My apology for the word I used earlier, really didn’t mean no “HARM”.”
Jenkins, 31, leads the Giants with four interceptions and 14 passes defensed and is sixth with 54 tackles. He had started 29 consecutive games for the Giants and all 53 of his games since joining the team as a free agent in 2016.
He had one year left on a five-year deal worth nearly $62 million, including $14.75 million that would have been due next season. His release means the Giants will save more than $11 million in salary next season, while carrying $3.5 million in dead-cap money.
Jenkins, who spent the first four seasons of his career with the Rams, has 461 career tackles, 22 interceptions and six forced fumbles.
