Giants Receiver Has Brutal Day in Mistake-Filled Loss to Saints

Darius Slayton’s first chance to step up in wake of Malik Nabers’ season-ending knee injury did not go as hoped for the Giants.

While there were several culprits for the team’s lethargic 26-14 loss to the Saints Sunday in New Orleans, Slayton was near the top of the list. The veteran receiver had a key drop, lost a fumble, and injured his hamstring in a miserable performance that left Giants fans feeling blue.

Leading 14-3 early in the second quarter, the Giants allowed 23 unanswered points over the final 35-plus minutes to drop to 1-4 as another season spirals out of control.

 

Slayton’s Miscues Lead to Sloppy Loss for Giants

Slayton had a nightmarish day, starting early in the second quarter when he dropped a long pass from rookie Jaxson Dart that would’ve set up the Giants deep in Saints territory, leading 14-6.

On the next possession, Slayton had a step on Saints safety Terrell Burgess on a flea-flicker but was unable to haul in an underthrown ball by Dart.

As if those plays weren’t frustrating enough, things got worse later in the half when Slayton was stripped by Saints linebacker Demario Davis. Safety Jonas Sanker returned the fumble to the Giants’ 41-yard line, and Blake Grupe hit 29-yard field goal to send the Saints into halftime up 16-14.

Embarrassingly, it was the first of five straight drives to end with a turnover.

“We moved the ball, then we turned it over. Five in a row, which is hard to do,” head coach Brian Daboll said succinctly, via SNY.

 

Slayton Exits Late With Hamstring Injury

The Giants re-signed the 28-year-old Slayton to a three-year, $36 million deal in March, expecting him to be a steady veteran complement to Nabers. But with Nabers now lost for the season with a torn ACL, the Giants need Slayton to be so much more.

Instead, he had just three catches for 31 yards on six targets Sunday before exiting in the second half with a hamstring injury. As such, the Giants were forced to call on the likes of Jalin Hyatt and Beaux Collins at receiver in the fourth quarter.

Daniel Bellinger led the way with 52 yards receiving on four catches, while fellow tight end Theo Johnson had six catches for 33 yards and two touchdowns. Giants receivers combined to catch just nine passes for 61 yards.

With a short week on tap, Slayton will need to recover quickly to be ready for Thursday’s game against the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles. For what it’s worth, Slayton told The Athletic’s Charlotte Carroll that his plan is to play.

“I’m going to do my best to shake back and get as healthy as fast as possible,” he said postgame.

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