The New York Giants have been without their 2021 first-round draft pick for the majority of the season. Wide receiver Kadarius Toney has appeared in only nine games this year as he has dealt with a slew of injuries and most recently a positive COVID-19 test.
Kadarius Toney off the COVID list
According to head coach Joe Judge, the Giants are expecting Toney back in the building on Thursday (Jordan Raanan of ESPN). However, there is still uncertainty whether or not Kadarius Toney will play on Sunday versus the Eagles.
Kadarius Toney held back by injuries
Kadarius Toney is still dealing with injuries to his oblique and his quad. The injury to Toney’s oblique kept him out of the Giants’ Week 14 matchup with the Chargers. The positive COVID test kept him sidelined in Week 15.
Kadarius Toney has missed a lot of time with injuries this season. The rookie has dealt with ankle and thumb injuries in addition to his quad and oblique injuries. Toney looks like one of the Giants’ most explosive and talented playmakers when he is on the field. The problem is getting Kadarius on the field.
A prime opportunity for Toney to make a difference
It is now more important than ever for the Giants to get Kadarius Toney on the field. The Giants are thin at wide receiver now with Sterling Shepard placed on injured reserve. Shepard tore his Achilles last Sunday, ending his season in gruesome fashion. This leaves a door open for Kadarius Toney to end the season on a high note.
With Sterling Shepard out, Kadarius Toney should see increased usage in the Giants’ offensive game plan if he is healthy and playing. Toney has racked up 392 yards on 35 receptions this season and flashed great potential in Week 5, totaling 189 receiving yards in the game against the Cowboys.
Kadarius Toney is one of the most exciting players on the Giants. He is young, explosive, and a home-run hitter. Giants fans want to root for Kadarius and watch him develop into a premiere receiving threat. But if the rookie out of Florida is unable to get healthy, he won’t be giving New Yorkers much to root for. Kadarius Toney should see the field again before the season’s end and leave a reminder to Giants fans this offseason of the great talent they have to be excited about next season.