Jalin Hyatt a healthy scratch in Giants’ rematch vs. Eagles

PHILADELPHIA – Jalin Hyatt’s mysterious career with the Giants just hit a new low.

The Giants made Hyatt – a Top-75 draft pick in 2023 – a healthy scratch for the first time in his career Sunday against the Eagles. He has fallen behind Lil’Jordan Humphrey – a practice-squad receiver whose perimeter run-blocking has value on game days – on the depth chart.

Darius Slayton’s return to the lineup and the decision to elevate safety Raheem Layne (in addition to Humphrey) from the practice squad squeezed Hyatt off the active list.

Hyatt has three catches for 17 yards on 123 offensive snaps in five games. Those numbers are stunning given that the Giants have been without No. 1 receiver Malik Nabers since Week 4 and played the last two games without an injured Slayton.

The inability to get the most out of Hyatt – a Biletnikoff Award winner as college football’s top receiver and an elite speedster – has been a point of frustration within the organization.

The Giants are thought around the league to be in the receiver market to help with rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart’s development, though that does not necessarily equate to big players at the top of the market, given their 2-5 record and diminished playoff hopes.

Hyatt had two games earlier this season and one last season where he was suited up but did not play by coach’s decision.

The Giants will need to make room on the 53-man roster for Humphrey before next Sunday’s game against the 49ers, which could mean the end of a former Joe Schoen draft pick – whether that is Hyatt or former first-rounder Evan Neal.

Neal and offensive tackle James Hudson were both healthy scratches. The other inactives included injured players safety Jevon Holland, cornerback Paulson Adebo, defensive lineman Chauncey Golston.