Jalin Hyatt is the Giants' fourth wide receiver as he has not proven he deserves more playing time than veteran Darius Slayton.
Hyatt never surpassed Slayton on the roster this summer, which is why he saw minimal playing time in the 28-6 loss to the Vikings in the season opener.
Hyatt was on the field just 16 times and dropped the ball on his only target.
Slayton (three catches for 26 yards) participated in 51 snaps on offense.
Hyatt has rookies Malik Neighbors, Wan'Dale Robinson and Slayton waiting in the wings, and they've played more games with multiple tight ends than they've had four wide receivers on the field at one time.
“Yeah, he’s our third or fourth receiver,” coach Brian Daboll said, “so he plays with Neighbors and Wan’Dale. [Robinson] “He's in the slot. And Slayton played the majority of the snaps ahead of Hyatt. Jarrin has a specific play and role. That can change from week to week, but that was the case this week.”
Hyatt, a third-round pick out of Tennessee in 2023, has good speed but has yet to convince coaches he can be more reliable than Slayton.
Hyatt played in all 17 games last season as a rookie, catching 23 receptions for 373 yards but no touchdowns.
Hyatt may have to take on a larger role this Sunday when the Giants face the Commanders at Northwest Stadium with Slayton in the concussion protocol.
Injury updates: Daboll said cornerback Nick McLeod's (knee) status “evolves day-to-day” but could change week-to-week. KR Gunner Olszewski (groin) will miss “several weeks.” Special teamer Carter Coughlin (pectoral muscle) will miss “several months.”
With Olszewski out, the Giants need a new punt returner. They held tryouts on Monday. Slayton fumbled his first NFL punt return in a game.
Cordell Flott started as the slot cornerback and played 37 of the 55 snaps on defense despite playing as a perimeter corner all summer. Rookie Dru Phillips, who played as a slot corner throughout training camp, was on the field for 16 snaps. This sounds like a one-game deal.
“We're getting ready for our first game and we thought this was the best thing for us to do,” Daboll said. “So is this going to continue? Probably not, to be honest with you. Flott will probably play outside more, but for this week we thought this was best.”
With Micah McFadden still dealing with the effects of a groin injury he suffered in the second preseason game, rookie Darius Muasau started at inside linebacker alongside Bobby Okereke.
McFadden was available but his snap count was between 15 and 20 plays. The decision to keep McFadden on the sideline came after Muasau showed he could perform in his first NFL game.
“If Darius was playing and playing well, we were going to let it go,” Daboll said.
Isaiah Simmons, listed as the backup nickelback, played 18 snaps, all on special teams. Daboll explained that rookie Tyler Nubin will be one of the starting safeties, with Dane Belton filling the “money backer” role — the other starting safety.
