Giants' Hyatt: Lack of involvement is 'disappointing'
New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt is staying upbeat despite his lack of production through the first two weeks of the season.
Hyatt received just one target, which was dropped, in New York's season opener, and he didn't see a pass thrown in his direction last weekend against the Washington Commanders.
"It is definitely disappointing," Hyatt said, according to ESPN's Jordan Raanan. "I'm not going to sit here and act like I'm perfectly fine with it. I'm not. But it's, like, 'What can I do now?' It's either I can sit here and pout and be mad at the world and not get better, or I can keep attacking the days and keep getting better at practice."
Hyatt added: "I'm not really worried about it right now because I know I'm going to take over sooner or later."
The Giants traded up to select the Tennessee product in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Hyatt recorded 23 receptions for 373 yards as a rookie last season. He worked primarily as the No. 2 receiver behind rookie Malik Nabers during spring workouts and training camp.
"I thought I had a very, very good training camp, and they told me I did," Hyatt said. "They told me I had a great training camp, but there are things that I can't control, and I am disappointed about it. But at the end of the day, I'm just going to keep getting better and my chance will come, and when it comes I will be ready."
Hyatt denied a report that he requested to be traded if the Giants weren't going to use him.
"I didn't say that. I don't know where that came from, but that's false," Hyatt said Friday afternoon, according to The Associated Press' Tom Canavan. "I love being here. Joe, Dabs, I got so much respect for trading up for me and getting me. So, whatever that rumor was, it's not true at all."
Darius Slayton, the Giants' leading receiver in three of the past four seasons, leapt over Hyatt on the team's depth chart.
"(Slayton) is doing a nice job with his opportunities of doing the things that he needs to do. And then we sprinkle in Hyatt in particular plays," head coach Brian Daboll said.
Hyatt and the Giants (0-2) will attempt to earn their first win of the season against the Cleveland Browns (1-1) on Sunday.