Darius Slayton steps in to fill the Giants' Malik Nabers void

SEATTLE – Malik Nabers was back East nursing his concussion.

Darius Slayton to the rescue.

“We moved Slayton to where Nabers was a bunch, and he was usually on the other side,” head coach Brian Daboll said after the Giants' 29th game and the Seahawks' 20th game. “He's very reliable and smart.” He's a great teammate. He always did what we asked of him.”

Slayton (8-112-1 TD) was like the entire Giants team that day: He never flinched.

“For me it's basically the opposite, so I'm going the other way, like I'm used to,” Slayton said. “So I just try my best to remember that. I definitely went the wrong way once or twice (laughs), but today I was able to do pretty well.”

Slayton caught a 41-yard ball down the right sideline from Daniel Jones but drew an unsportsmanlike penalty for what the Zebras perceived as a gun salute, but he insisted it was a first-down signal.

Daboll said Slayton feels regret and remorse over this.

“You know, the funny thing is, when I stood up, I knew that if you were anywhere near the guy, you’d get him,” Slayton said. “I intentionally made sure no one was near me, so I didn't show at someone; I just pointed at nothing. No more points for me. If I score, it will be like this – just one finger.”

Moments later, Slayton caught a 30-yard touchdown pass as second option and pointed to the crowd. No flag.

“I guess it was more like a single finger; Maybe that’s why not,” he said. “From here on out, I guess a finger.”

Jones raved about his 2019 draft classmate: “Slay has stepped up, had a great game today.”