This was supposed to be the season in which New York Giants third-year wide receiver Jalin Hyatt began to assert himself in the offense.
After two seasons of underuse and minimal production, Hyatt came to training camp with a larger, more NFL-ready frame and the endorsement of veteran quarterback Russell Wilson.
But after four games, Hyatt has yet to catch a pass. In fact, he hasn’t even been targeted in the passing game. He has played just two of the Giants’ four games, a total of 35 snaps, and has once again become the offense’s forgotten man.
With the loss of star wideout Malik Nabers to a torn ACL last week, the Giants will be seeking their other wide receivers to step up. Hyatt is currently one of the team’s five remaining players in the wide receiver room.
If there ever was a time for Hyatt to emerge from the Giants’ doghouse, it’s now. The Giants will likely start Wan’Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton, as they have all year, but the third receiver spot needs to be filled. It’s either Hyatt, kick returner Gunner Olszewski, rookie Beaux Collins, and whoever they can scratch up.
Head coach Brian Daboll knows he’s up the creek without a paddle with Nabers, who had been targeted 35 times this year and was the second-most targeted player in the league last season.
“They wouldn’t be here if they weren’t. So, we had obviously a lot of confidence in the three guys that we have. Malik goes down, and we have confidence in the guys that are behind them. Whether it’s Beaux, whether it’s Hyatt, Gunner knows multiple roles,” Daboll said. “We have some guys on the practice squad that we like. So, we’ll get ready to play with the guys that we have, and I’m confident in all those guys.”
But it is Hyatt who the Giants really need to elevate his game. He is a former third-round pick they traded up for, and his pedigree needs to shine through here. And he knows it.
“He’s one of my best friends on his team,” Hyatt said of Nabers. “He’s been in my corner. He kind of saw the adversity I’ve been through, and he just told me it’s my chance; this is the time for me to do what I gotta do. So, I’m gonna be ready at the end of the day.”
If it is finally Hyatt’s chance, he vows to be ready — not just for himself and the team, but for his good friend who is now forced to watch from the couch.
“We’ll see what it ends up being,” Daboll said Wednesday. “He’s worked hard since he’s been here. He’s worked hard these first few weeks of the season. Whether that’s on the look team, whether that’s taking reps with the ones during practice. He’s doing everything he can do to be as ready as he can be.”
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This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants’ Malik Nabers told Jalin Hyatt this is his chance
