After a strong OTAs, New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt finished up the spring with a hamstring injury, and that issue popped up again early at training camp as the 2023 draft pick needed a long look from trainers on July 24.
Hyatt then sat out practice on Friday, July 25, but it appears this is nothing more than a minor injury scare, according to head coach Brian Daboll.
“Brian Daboll confirms Jalin Hyatt was cramping up,” NorthJersey.com beat reporter Art Stapleton relayed on Friday. He added that the Giants held Hyatt out on July 25 “as [a] precaution,” considering they have an off day scheduled on Saturday.
While listening to Daboll speak, the Giants head coach did note that Hyatt is “a little tight in the lower body” right now. So perhaps this is something to monitor going forward.
Jalin Hyatt Must Carry Strong Spring Into Giants Training Camp
This nagging hamstring injury couldn’t come at a worse time for Hyatt. Just as he was starting to get hot and develop some chemistry with new quarterback Russell Wilson — who excels at what Hyatt does best, throwing a signature deep ball — he’s now missing key reps.
To make matters worse, Hyatt has done this in the past, so fans and media will not just give him the benefit of the doubt and expect that he’ll pair a hot start at OTAs with a strong training camp.
This is a prove-it year for Hyatt, in every sense. OTAs, training camp, preseason, regular season. There is no room for error as the third-round talent looks to prove he belongs.
Needless to say, Hyatt cannot let his early momentum fizzle out, and these soft tissue leg injuries are now working against him.
Giants Rookie RB Cam Skattebo & UDFA Wide Receivers Step Up in Hyatt’s Absence
The big highlight of the day on Friday was a “moon ball” from Wilson to star wide receiver Malik Nabers. But Nabers would probably be doing that with or without Hyatt on the field.
A few lesser-known pass-catchers did step up in Hyatt’s absence, including rookie running back Cam Skattebo, who once again excelled in the passing game.
Per Giants team reporter Dan Salomone, “[Jaxson] Dart and Skattebo connected a handful of times other than the touchdown, including a nice sideline catch by the handsy running back.”
The touchdown he referenced came on the final play of practice, as the rookie QB hit his classmate in the corner of the end zone for six.
Aside from Skattebo, Salomone highlighted a couple of undrafted wide receivers who made plays on July 25.
“Beaux Collins stretched out for a nice catch on a pass from Tommy DeVito,” Salomone reported after practice was over. “Shortly after, Jordan Bly, another undrafted rookie receiver, caught a pass through traffic from Jameis Winston.”
Collins and Bly are both competing for a practice squad role in all likelihood, but there’s a chance one UDFA wideout sneaks onto the 53-man roster. Of these two, Collins is the player who impressed more throughout the spring, but there’s still plenty of time for Bly to change that.
The longer Hyatt remains on the sidelines, the more opportunities other wide receivers and pass-catchers will get. On Friday, the combination of Skattebo, Collins and Bly made the most of those opportunities.
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