2024-10-08 06:05:03
Matt Citak: Much of the attention on the Giants’ rookie class this season has centered around Malik Nabers, and deservedly so. The wide receiver found himself among the league leaders in just about every receiving category through four games before he was sidelined for Sunday’s game due to a concussion. With the first-round pick unable to take the field, his classmate made sure to pick up the slack in his absence.
Running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. saw extended action for the first time in his young career with veteran Devin Singletary also out with a groin injury, and the 24-year-old took full advantage of the opportunity. Tracy carried the ball 18 times for 129 yards, good for an average of 7.2 yards per carry, and had four runs of 10+ yards. This came after he gained just 29 yards on 12 carries through the first four games of the season. Tight end Theo Johnson also enjoyed his best game in the NFL as he caught all five of his targets for 48 yards. He created an average of 4.0 yards of separation on those five targets, the highest average on the team Sunday, while his 28 yards after the catch ranked second.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Giants once again got solid performances from their second- and third-round picks. Safety Tyler Nubin was on the field for 97 percent of the team’s defensive snaps in Seattle, with the two snaps he wasn’t on the field representing the first two snaps he’s missed all season. For the second consecutive week, Nubin led the team in tackles. He finished with nine total tackles and six solo, both of which were three more than any other player, while adding a tackle for loss and his first career fumble recovery. His team-high five tackles in the run game were three more than any other player, according to Next Gen Stats. Then there’s cornerback Dru Phillips, who made his return to the field after missing most of Week 3 and all of Week 4 with a calf injury. The rookie slot corner finished with four tackles (one solo), and according to Pro Football Focus, surrendered just one reception for nine yards on three targets. This earned him a passer rating when targeted of 42.2.
“It was good to see the rookies,” coach Brian Daboll said after the game. “They’re developing still. This is October now, so you’re trying to figure out September some of the things you need to work on. And one game really has nothing to do with the next. We’ll do it all over again against a very challenging opponent, high powered team coming up here in a week.”
