The New York Giants had high hopes for their third-round pick from the 2018 Supplemental Draft, but a season-ending shoulder injury ended any chances of the rookie cornerback helping the team on the field this year.

Sam Beal was a highly recruited cornerback from Western Michigan. He was projected to be a first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, but in June before his senior season, he decided to apply for the 2018 Supplemental Draft. This is where the New York Giants found the 6-foot-1, 177-pound cornerback.

On July 25th during training camp, Beal suffered a shoulder injury, derailing his rookie season. Since Beal is not competing on the field each and every Sunday, he is helping the team in the best way he can right now. He is now being used as an advanced scout for the Giants defensive backs.

Beal starts getting ready for the upcoming receivers before the Giants even begin practicing that week for the upcoming team. Beal watches videos of the upcoming opponents to look for pros and cons in their games. Once he is finished reviewing the film, he then brings it to the table during the defensive backs meeting.

New York’s defensive backs coach Lou Anarumo informed Beal that he is not only helping the team now but himself as a future NFL player, via NorthJersey.com.

“Coach Lou told me my taking notes now to help this team will end up helping me next year because I’ll already be familiar with these teams, these quarterbacks, these teams, these offenses. By learning this way, I’ll be a step ahead when I am physically ready to get on the field and do something about it.”

Beal knows how hard it is to not be on the field to help his team out, but this is what he needs to do for the time being. When he is not scouting opposing teams, he is spending his time in the weight room building up his lower body to keep his mind busy.

“You want to be out there, but you can’t let it break you. Right now for me it’s all about my lower body. I just go in the weight room and kill my legs. Just to get rid of that energy I have that I can’t get rid of by playing, I go in the weight room and go crazy. In my mind, I can play the game right now. But I’m only three months out from the surgery, they’re not rushing me and I’m not rushing things, either. I’m working to get back and be ready to play when this team needs me.”

Come next season, expect a big comeback year for the 22-year-old out of Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is going to be stronger, smarter, and his will to get back on the field will propel him.