Notebook: Malik Nabers misses practice; Jalin Hyatt stays ready

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Jalin Hyatt has been relatively inactive in the first quarter of the Giants’ season, but he might well assume a much heavier workload beginning Sunday.

The second-year pro could see his most extensive action of the young season when the Giants visit the Seattle Seahawks in Lumen Field. Rookie Malik Nabers, the NFL’s leading receiver, remains in the NFL concussion protocol one week after he was injured against the Dallas Cowboys. He was not on the practice field for the second consecutive day on Thursday.

“He’s still making progress, but he’ll be working with the trainers,” coach Brian Daboll said. “We’ll let it go as long as we can let it go (before deciding on his availability for the game). We’re just taking it day-by-day.

“It’s Thursday. There’s only a couple days left (before the team flies to Seattle). I don’t want to speculate. We’ll see where we are. He’s getting better. But he’s still in the protocol.”

Each day Nabers is inactive increases the likelihood that he will miss the game in Seattle. Should that occur, Hyatt is expected to take many of his snaps. It would represent a significant increase for Hyatt, who has not caught any of the three passes thrown to him and averaged 12.7 snaps in the first four games.

“You just got to be ready whenever it is,” Hyatt said after practice today. “It’s a long, long season. Injuries happen and it’s all about taking advantage of the opportunities. We’re going to go out and play Seattle, and we’re going to be ready. And for us, we just got to stay focused, got to stay on rhythm on offense, and we do that, and we have a good chance.”

Nabers has been the Giants’ top offensive weapon this season. He leads the NFL with 35 catches and 52 targets, is second with 386 receiving yards, and has scored half of the Giants’ six touchdowns. It will almost certainly take a multi-player contribution to compensate for his absence.

“He’s down right now,” said Daboll, who calls the offensive plays. “Obviously, there’s certain plays in for players If he’s ready to play, we’ll have those plays. If he’s not, we’ll have other things for our guys.”

That group includes Wan’Dale Robinson, whose 26 receptions include a league-high 16 on third down; Darius Slayton, a six-year veteran who is the team’s most experienced receiver and has 10 catches; Bryce Ford-Wheaton and Ihmir Smith-Marsette, plus Isaiah Hodgins and Kearis Jackson on the practice squad.

“At the end of the day, we’re all pros,” Slayton said. “Jalin is ready, I’m ready, Wan’Dale’s ready. Whoever else comes up, maybe Isaiah Hodgins might get an opportunity if it comes down to it. He’s a professional and he’s always ready. We have Bryce, who’s had a big special teams role, but if it comes to it, he’ll be ready.

“This is the National Football League. Obviously, you never want to see anybody go down or anybody go out, especially a special player like Malik. But if we do happen to be without him, guys will be ready to go.”

Hyatt has waited two seasons for a big chance. The Giants traded up in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft to select Hyatt, whom they envisioned as the deep threat their offense lacked. As a rookie, he played in all 17 games with seven starts, but caught only 23 passes for 373 yards, a team-high 16.2-yard average. Though he had 109 receiving yards in a victory against New England, Hyatt has yet to score an NFL touchdown.

In the first month of this season, he has gracefully fielded questions about his state of mind as he’s spent most of every game on the sideline.

But his teammates and coaches believe he will play well when called upon.

“I’m very confident in Jalin,” offensive coordinator Mike Kafka said. “He’s been a pro since he’s been here. He’s been studying his tail off. He hasn’t had a ton this year, but he’s practiced every single day like he’s a starter. He prepares like he’s the starter. Talking about that next man up approach, he’s one of those guys, if he has to go in, he’ll be ready and prepared, and we’ll be expecting him to do his job and make plays for us.”

That’s exactly what Hyatt expects of himself.

“I’m a competitor, I want to be out there and be able to play,” Hyatt said. “Obviously, I didn’t have a lot of chances this season. But it’s a long season, things happen, injuries happen, and I’ve got to be ready, I’ve got to be ready whenever my number’s called. And if it is called this week, I’ll be ready.”

Nabers averages 13 targets a game. Can Hyatt convince Daniel Jones to throw him that many passes?

“I’ve been in his ear,” Hyatt said. “I know he’s right here, he’s my locker mate. So, every time I see him, I’ll say something to him. But like I said, we’re going to be prepared, we’ve got to be ready, we have a good game plan that I like. And I just can’t wait to go out there with D.J. and the offensive line and obviously our receivers and make plays, and we can do that at Seattle.”