For Brian Daboll, the decision was simple and clear.
If Darius Slayton, who is in concussion protocol, misses the Giants' Week 2 game against the Commanders, will Jalyn Hyatt just have to be elevated into his role and get playing time?
“Yeah,” Daboll said before the Giants' practice on Wednesday.
Hyatt's poor performance was one of the most notable moments from the Giants' season-opening 28-6 loss to the Vikings.
He ran just 16 plays and was targeted just once by quarterback Daniel Jones, which he dropped.
“We have a lot of good receivers on this team. I wanted to go with a guy with more experience,” Hyatt said Wednesday. “There's nothing wrong with that. To me, it's just about getting better. I'm just focusing on myself.”
After the Giants traded up to select Hyatt in the third round of last year's draft, the former Tennessee star and 2022 Biletinoff Award winner was expected to play a key role in making the offense more explosive.
But he had a quiet rookie season, finishing with just 23 catches for 373 yards and no touchdowns.
Daboll explained Monday that Hyatt is “our fourth/fifth receiver” with Slayton getting the majority of the snaps ahead of him. Malik Neighbors and Wan'Dale Robinson are also deeper in the lineup than Hyatt, but Hyatt's skill set is most similar to Slayton's as a speedy downfield threat.
Slayton suited up and took to the field for warmups Monday but did not take part in practice.
Asked about his confidence in Hyatt, Daboll simply said, “I have a good feeling about him.”
Cornerback Nick McCloud (knee), whose condition Daboll said Monday would change day to day but could be out for several weeks, did not practice Wednesday.
Linebacker Darius Muasau (knee) also did not play, but Micah McFadden, who was only active as an emergency-needed player on Sunday but sat out with a groin injury, played the full game.
He and Muasau have been competing for the inside linebacker position next to Bobby Okereke.
Former Giants running back Saquon Barkley was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week after totaling 132 yards and three touchdowns in his Eagles debut.
Slayton, who now plays for rival teams, garnered attention after reposting the NFL's post announcing the award on his own Instagram Story.
Daboll said he wore an FDNY hat Wednesday to commemorate 9/11 and spoke to his team about the significance of the day.
