Giants hope receiver Kenny Golladay's return can impact offense

Kenny Golladay believes he can be a useful addition to the Giants’ so-far modest passing attack.

Time will tell, beginning on Sunday against the Texans, when the receiver is expected to play for the first time since he suffered a knee injury on Oct. 2.

But his performance thus far has set such a low bar that anything would be an improvement.

In four games this season, Golladay has two receptions for 22 yards, and his touchdown total is the same as it was in 2021: zero.

This was not what the Giants had in mind when they signed him to a four-year, $72 million contract before last season.

But here we are, and with injuries and ineffectiveness having hit the receiving corps, the hope is that a fresh and motivated Golladay finally can make an impact.

Golladay himself said on Wednesday that he felt good physically after two days of practice and was excited to be back — especially given the Giants’ 6-2 record.

“There’s a lot of energy going around this facility, period, and you can’t beat that,” he said.

Golladay said he sought to remain engaged during his absence from the field, “making sure I was mentally prepared the entire time as if I was playing. So that’s really my main goal is when I do get in there it’s not a falloff.”

Golladay acknowledged he must show coaches during the week that he deserves to be part of the offense. But, he said, “I’m really not trying to prove nothing to no coaches. I’m really out here just playing for my guys, these people in the locker room.

“Of course, I have to show it on the practice field to the coaches. But at the exact same time, I’m playing for the guys in this locker room — period.”

After being in the game for only two snaps against the Panthers in Week 2, Golladay expressed frustration with his role, saying, “I should be playing regardless. That’s a fact. That’s a fact.”

The Giants traded oft-injured second-year receiver Kadarius Toney to Kansas City last month, but even if they wished to part ways with Golladay, his contract makes that all but impossible.

So all parties are trying to make the best of the relationship.

The Giants have been over-reliant on the running of Saquon Barkley and quarterback Daniel Jones, who have combined for 1,142 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns — compared to only six receiving TDs for the entire team.

Darius Slayton, who leads the Giants with 232 receiving yards, called Golladay “a quarterback-friendly guy” because of his big body, strong hands and ability to make contested catches.

Injured receiver Sterling Shepard said, “Just seeing him move back around at practice and how far he’s come, it’s just good to add that piece to the offense.

“He’s a big-catch guy and that’s what the offense needs . . . He’s great with those 50-50 balls. He makes them look like 60-40 balls, and that’s what we need, man.”

Coach Brian Daboll praised Golladay’s work in practice, where he has been listed as limited, but he urged patience, saying, “I don’t take it too far down the road. I don’t think you can do that. Just come out here and have a good practice.”

Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka said, “Kenny came in and he’s been a great teammate. He’s come in and worked hard when he’s been practicing.

“I know he’s gotten a little dinged up, so he worked his tail off to get ready for this week. We’re happy that he’s available.”