Darius Slayton might not be on the same level as Willie Mays, but he shares the frustration of Giants fans after missing an over-the-shoulder catch that could have clinched a 35-yard touchdown in the third quarter of Sunday’s 29-21 defeat against the Commanders.
During the play, former teammate Antonio Hamilton disrupted the catch from behind, though it’s worth noting that Mays faced no such interference during the 1954 World Series.
“I expect those kinds of plays from myself, but today, unfortunately, I just couldn’t make it happen,” Slayton expressed. “I chased the ball as hard as I could. It was right over my head; as soon as I reached out, it felt like he hit me. You might say I had no chance to catch it, but ultimately, you’ve got to find a way.”
Slayton has been with the Giants since 2019 and is their longest-serving offensive player. He worked through early issues with dropped passes, signed a free agent extension, and became a leading receiver, although drop problems resurfaced for him this season.
“Missing an opportunity like that is definitely painful,” Slayton acknowledged. “We just need to figure out how to finish with the ball.”
Meanwhile, Jackson Dart took blame for a dropped third-down pass against the Saints, a team that also struggled with drops during the game.
“I definitely didn’t communicate enough,” Dart admitted. “The play wasn’t planned; it just came from some adjustments we made. It’s definitely something we wish we could have back.”
PR Gunner Olszewski didn’t clear concussion protocol in time, leaving the Giants without a designated returner, while Ymir Smith-Marsette and Xavier Gipson remained on the practice squad.
Safety Jevon Holland managed two punt returns for just 7 yards but seemed uneasy making the catches.
Interim head coach Mike Kafka mentioned the need for adjustments, pointing out that illnesses on the defensive line affected their roster. “We’re confident that we can get Holland to make fair catches,” he assured.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. achieved the first multi-touchdown game of his career, scoring on a remarkable 12-yard play, even while a defender clutched his ankle near the goal line. He also snagged an 18-yard touchdown catch against Bobby Wagner, a linebacker likely headed for the Hall of Fame.
Jalyn Hiatt delivered one of the day’s standout hustle plays. After his pass was intercepted, he lay on the ground for several moments before realizing Mike Sainristil was still running the ball. Hiatt quickly got up and tackled him after a 55-yard return, preventing a probable touchdown.
“We just weren’t in sync, so we’ve got to get the right people to address that,” Dart concluded. “And we will.”
