The New York Giants are placing wide receiver Braxton Berrios on injured reserve after going down with a foot issue in Week 4. He'll undergo surgery and miss the rest of 2026, per his Instagram, leaving a notable void — one Jalin Hyatt still won't be called upon to fill.
Theoretically, moving forward with Hyatt makes sense. Why else would the Giants sign him to the practice squad after failing to make the 53-man roster? He's supposed to provide some insurance, and the club appears to be looking elsewhere with Berrios hurt.
Charlie Jones, who joined New York roughly a month ago, is the next man up for Big Blue.
Jalin Hyatt still can't sneak onto the Giants' roster after Braxton Berrios injury
Jones gets the first crack as the more natural replacement for Berrios. The former can pretty seamlessly step into the latter's responsibilities as the primary punt and kick returner. Perhaps Hyatt could still get promoted for more traditional WR depth, though Dalen Cambre, another special teamer, might get that spot.
For better or worse, the G-Men have stuck to a three-man wideout rotation of star Malik Nabers, rookie Malachi Fields and veteran Darnell Mooney. They've run 280 of the club's 307 routes at the position through four games this season. So, elevating Hyatt isn't as much of a priority, paving the way for two kicking-game contributors to take precedence.
Moreover, New York recently released fan favorite Odell Beckham Jr. He was a non-factor before getting cut; however, the three-time Pro Bowler was part of the game day lineup. His unceremonious exit opened a door for Hyatt, or so we thought.
Alas, even without Berrios and Beckham, it seems highly unlikely that Hyatt will carve out any role.
Jalin Hyatt has given the Giants no reason to turn him, even in time of need
Not to be rude, but what exactly does Hyatt do here? He's caught just 13 passes for 97 scoreless yards since 2024. The 2023 third-round pick has been an afterthought despite his draft pedigree and the Giants' pass-catching woes through the years.
Hyatt is one of 102 receivers to run at least 663 routes since he entered the NFL. His 0.71 yards per route run ranks dead last in that stretch, trailing only the Atlanta Falcons' Jahan Dotson (0.73). Frankly, it's anyone's guess how the once highly-touted prospect has managed to stick around in New York for so long.
There comes a point when going in a different direction may be best for all parties involved. Unfortunately, Hyatt hasn't lived up to the high expectations many had for him coming into the league. He's been stuck on the back burner regardless of the situation, with Berrios injury being the latest example.
Note: Advanced metrics courtesy of Fantasy Points' data suite 2.0 ($).
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