New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton acknowledged that a sports hernia significantly affected his performance throughout the 2025 season. The veteran wide receiver said he began dealing with the injury early last year and elected to play through it rather than shut down for surgery.
“I pretty much started with it last season and just kind of played that way throughout the whole season,” Slayton told reporters on Saturday. “Just because I wasn’t going to just cut the season short with the surgery or anything. I got through last year and then I tried to kind of rehab it in the offseason and it just didn’t really work. So, I just went ahead and got the procedure done.”
After finishing the year, he attempted to rehabilitate the injury during the offseason. When that approach failed to produce the desired results, he underwent sports hernia surgery on both legs. Slayton reported feeling well following the procedure.
While careful not to lean on excuses, he conceded the ailment limited him in noticeable ways. He described having to strain more than usual to make catches and occasionally coming up just short of plays he felt capable of converting under normal circumstances.
“A good bit,” he said of its impact. “I’m not a big excuse person. So, at the end of the day, I could have played better regardless, but obviously it’s different when maybe you’re used to being able to catch the ball a little easier. You’re having to strain a little more and maybe come up an inch short here or there. But at the end of the day, if you’re out there, you’ve got to make it happen.”
Still, Slayton maintained that once a player is on the field, the expectation is to produce regardless of physical limitations.
Looking toward the upcoming season, Slayton identified full recovery as his primary focus. He emphasized the need to regain the ability to run and move freely, as he has throughout his career.
“First and foremost is getting healthy,” he said. “I need to be able to run; I need to be able to move how I’m accustomed to being able to move. Honestly, once that’s all done, I believe I’ll play to a level that I need to play at.”
Once that foundation is restored, Slayton expressed confidence that his play will return to the level he expects of himself. The combination of a clean bill of health and a fresh start in a new offensive system has left the long-time Giant optimistic about what lies ahead.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants’ Darius Slayton admits sports hernia limited him in 2025
Reporting by Dan Benton, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Dan Benton, Giants Wire | USA TODAY Network
