Jalin Hyatt shares message from Malik Nabers after ACL injury
By Jyesha Nance
Published:
When Malik Nabers suffered an ACL injury that ended his 2025 season, the New York Giants’ star receiver told Jalin Hyatt it was his time to step up in the wide receiver room.
On Wednesday, Hyatt shared with media members that he and Nabers had a lengthy discussion after Nabers suffered the injury over the weekend, and Nabers provided him with some advice.
“He’s one of my best friends on this team. He’s been in my corner, he’s kind of seen the adversity I’ve been through,” Hyatt said. “He just told me it’s my chance, this is the time for me to do what I’ve got to do.
“So I’m going to be ready. I just can’t wait to go out, play Sunday, play with Jaxson, and get a win.”
Hyatt spent 3 seasons at Tennessee. He began his college career as a freshman in 2020, playing in 10 games with one as a starter. In the 2021 season, he became a full-time starter and finished the season third on the team in catches with 21 for 226 yards and two scores. His best season came in 2022, when he caught 67 balls for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns to win the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s best receiver.
His impressive versatility and skills earned him an invite to the 2023 NFL Combine, where he impressed with a vertical jump that ranked 15th overall among all positions that year. He posted the third-fastest 40-yard dash among wide receivers (4.40). Additionally, Hyatt’s 40-yard dash time was tied for 12th-best among all participants at the event, and his 10-yard split of 1.50 seconds ranked fourth among receivers.
He was selected with the 73rd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, Hyatt recorded 23 receptions for 373 yards in 17 appearances with 7 starts. In his second season, his role saw a decline, only achieving 8 receptions for 62 yards in 16 appearances with just 3 starts. He has only played in 2 games so far this season and has yet to be targeted.
However, with Nabers on the shelf, that might soon change.
