Hyatt Reflects on Giants’ Challenges and His Role

Jarin Hyatt finds himself in a familiar situation. Now in his third season with the Giants, the excitement of being a promising third-round pick from Tennessee has given way to uncertainty about his future with the team.

With Darius Slayton sidelined last week due to a hamstring issue and Malik Nabors out for the season with a torn ACL, Hyatt finally made his first catch of the year during an impressive victory over Philadelphia. Yet, his stats were modest, with just three receptions totaling 17 yards.

Since Slayton missed practice again on Thursday, it looks likely that Hyatt will see more action on Sunday against Denver. He’s eager to make an impact. “I really want to be out there again and create those game-changing moments,” Hyatt expressed on Thursday. “That’s why they drafted me. It’s what I’m known for, and it’s what I strive for.” It sounds like something he’s been yearning to accomplish.

Hyatt’s standout performance at Tennessee, where he was awarded the Biletnikoff Award as the top college receiver in 2022, feels distant now as he continues to seek consistency in his game.

With limited options due to injuries, the Giants are counting on Hyatt and backup Lil’Jordan Humphrey, who was called up from the practice squad. Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka noted Humphrey’s experience and his solid performance against Philadelphia, where he caught four passes for 55 yards.

“He’s intelligent, physically imposing, and has a knack for making plays,” Kafka said. “He’s built trust with Jackson during camp and the preseason, which is helpful.” It raises the question: could Hyatt find that connection with Dart that seemed to elude him with previous quarterbacks like Daniel Jones?

Hyatt emphasized the need for the receivers, himself included, to step up for the inexperienced Dart. He also expressed disappointment about not capitalizing on a potential touchdown when Philadelphia’s Kelly Ringo was called for defensive pass interference in the fourth quarter.

“We’ve got to secure those catches. But getting that last catch felt good; it got me in the flow,” Hyatt acknowledged, reflecting on his first significant play in nearly a year. If the Giants hope to tackle Denver’s formidable defense, he’ll need to deliver more than he did against Philadelphia—his biggest contribution since a game against the Panthers last November where he recorded four catches for 39 yards.

Hyatt has only reached the 100-yard mark in a single NFL game—a 109-yard outing against the Patriots in late 2023. He’s introspective as he thinks about missed opportunities from previous seasons. “Looking back, I had chances I didn’t take advantage of. I really have to hold myself accountable,” he admitted.

Hyatt also observed that players need to be more aggressive in pursuing the ball. “If you rewind the tape, attacking the ball is crucial. We often drop the ball too low. It’s my skill set, and I should be going after it,” he shared, hoping for better execution moving forward.