With star rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers (concussion) unlikely to play against the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday, the New York Giants will be turning to their other wideouts to pick up the slack in the passing game.
Wan’Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton are expected to see a huge uptick in targets with Nabers sidelined, but there is a third player — a forgotten one — that may also play an integral part in this week’s game plan.
Second-year wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, who electrified onlookers at training camp with his improved play, should finally factor into the offense.
Hyatt has been targeted just three times in the Giants’ first four games this season and has yet to record a reception. This, after Hyatt showed so much promise this summer at camp. He has been biding his time, waiting for his chance.
“I’m a competitor, I want to be out there and be able to play and obviously, I didn’t have a lot of chances this season,” Hyatt told reporters on Thursday. “But like I said, it’s a long season, things happen, injuries happen, and I got to be ready, I got to be ready whenever my number’s called. And if it is called this week, I’ll be ready.”
Quarterback Daniel Jones and Hyatt seemed to click in training camp and during the preseason and it appeared as if he would be the Giants’ deep threat.
Once the regular season started, the Giants began to feed Nabers and he responded in historic fashion. Robinson became money in the short passing game and they are paying Slayton too much to ignore. There was no place for Hyatt.
Jones has been criticized for his poor performance on deep throws. That could very well be a direct result of not having the speedy Hyatt running the routes. That could change this Sunday.
“I think Jalin has handled it well. He’s a pro, he’s a mature guy,” Jones said this week. “You’ve seen it out at practice. He’s continued to show up and make a lot of plays. I know it’s frustrating for a guy not to get those opportunities on Sunday, but I thought he’s handled it well. I have a ton of confidence in him out there making plays, changing the game with his speed and ability to get behind the defense. So, I know he’ll be ready to go.”
Hyatt and Jones have a close relationship. Even though it hasn’t spilled over on game days, they both feel that something special is brewing.
“I’m right here by him, right beside him,” Hyatt said of Jones. “I’ve been in his ear. I know he’s right here, he’s my locker mate. So, every time I see him, I’ll say something to him. But like I said, we’re going to be prepared, we got to be ready, we have a good game plan that I like. And I just can’t wait to go out there with DJ and the offensive line and obviously our receivers, and make plays, and we can do that at Seattle.”
Is Sunday the game Hyatt finally breaks out?
