New York Giants Injury Update: Darius Slayton the latest to come down with an illness

Flu season is in full effect and hitting the New York Giants heavily in recent weeks. After Andrew Thomas played through an illness in Week 12, a number of other players have popped up on the team’s injury report with an illness ahead of the team’s Week 13 matchup with the Washington Commanders. Among those players is the Giants’ top receiving threat, Darius Slayton.

Big Play Slay was listed as a non-participant for Wednesday’s practice as he battles through an illness (although, participation is a projection as the Giants did not practice today). Overall, the Giants are getting healthier than they have been in recent weeks. However, the list of players projected to not participate or limitedly participate in practice is still lengthy.

New York Giants injury update 12/1

The Giants are getting reinforcements for their critical match with Washington this week. Evan Neal, Daniel Bellinger, Azeez Ojulari, and other players are set to make their return to the field in Week 13. However, Big Blue could be without their best receiver this week as Darius Slayton deals with an illness that could keep him sidelined.

Did not participate: OL Joshua Ezeudu (neck), CB Adoree’ Jackson (knee), OL Shane Lemieux (toe), RB Gary Brightwell (illness), WR Richie James (knee)

Darius Slayton is a notable player projected to be absent from practice. Despite starting the season off buried on the Giants’ depth chart, Slayton has played his way onto the field and earned his role as the team’s primary receiving target. Darius Slayton leads the New York Giants with 476 receiving yards this season. Slayton has really turned things up a notch in recent weeks, totaling at least 60 yards in each of the team’s last four games. In fact, Slayton has 5 straight games totaling at least 50 receiving yards.

Daniel Jones and Darius Slayton have undeniable chemistry. The two have been linking up for touchdowns since their shared rookie season in 2019. That year, Jones and Slayton connected on 8 touchdowns. Down the home stretch of this season, the Giants need their best receivers ready to play. Big Blue’s receiving department has been decimated by injuries this season, losing Sterling Shepard and Wan’Dale Robinson for the rest of the year.

Joshua Ezeudu, Adoree’ Jackson, Shane Lemieux, and Gary Brightwell also seem unlikely to play on Sunday. With Ezeudu and Lemieux out of the lineup, Nick Gates is projected to be the starter at left guard with Jon Feliciano taking the reigns again at center.

Darius Slayton would be a massive loss for the New York Giants in Week 13 if he is unable to play through his illness. Big Blue will need to drastically alter their offensive game plan if Slayton is out of the lineup. Without Slayton, expect to see a heavy dosage of Isaiah Hodgins in the New York Giants’ passing attack against the Commanders in Week 13.