Giants WR Kadarius Toney claps back at critics: 'Why would I doubt myself?'

New York Giants second-year wide receiver Kadarius Toney isn't letting so-called haters get him down even as struggles that plagued him throughout his rookie season continue to impact him this fall. 

"I mean, why would I doubt myself? I know what I can do and what I can’t do," Toney said Thursday while speaking with reporters, per Darryl Slater of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. "Everybody lets one downfall or one mishap determine the outcome of how they feel. I really don’t care for that. I’m here to do one job. I’m here to play and be the best I can be. I’m not here for all that. Come on. I feel like I’m going to be who I originally was." 

Thus far, injury setbacks have limited Toney to appearing in 12 of a possible 23 total regular-season games. The 2021 first-round draft pick recorded 39 catches for 420 yards and zero touchdowns across 10 contests as a rookie and has tallied two catches for no yards in only two games this season. Since the summer months, Toney has dealt with multiple hamstring-related issues that have mostly left him a spectator as the Giants jumped out to a 5-1 record. 

ESPN's Jordan Raanan noted Toney is "almost certainly going to miss" this Sunday's matchup at the 2-4 Jacksonville Jaguars. 

"I mean, nah, not really," Toney responded when asked if there is anything he could do to prevent future hamstring injuries. "If you ask anybody — the best doctor or whatever — hamstrings are very tricky. So if you feel like your hamstring is better, it might not be. You know what I’m saying? You never know. It’s just all about how you feel, I guess you could say. I don’t know." 

The Giants have given no indication they're placing Toney on injured reserve, meaning the 23-year-old presumably will have a chance to get right for the Week 8 game at the Seattle Seahawks on Oct. 30 that precedes Big Blue's bye.