Friday Media Transcript: WR Darius Slayton

WR Darius Slayton -- July 26, 2019

Q: How long until you are back out there?
A: I’m just day to day right now. Just trying to work my way back as quick as possible.

Q: Did it happen during rookie practice the first day?
A: Yeah, I was just running and reached out for the ball and overextended a little bit.

Q: Have you had this kind of thing before?
A: I had one hamstring injury in college. This one is not as bad as that one. So, I definitely plan on being back quicker than I was then.

Q: How tough was it to stand around and watch yesterday?
A: Very (tough), that was my first NFL practice, especially with the fans out there. I didn’t know what it would be like, but with the energy out there, it was hard to just stand there. I’m working my way to get back as quick as possible and get out there.

Q: What did you do from the end of the spring to now?
A: Just been at home training at some different facilities. In the Atlanta area in general, there are a lot of players that train around there. Just training at home with different people trying to get ready for camp.

Q: No teammates though?
A: No.

Q: Are you shocked by all the injuries to the wide receivers?
A: It feels like there is a dark cloud over our room right now. Sterling’s injury wasn’t major, mine wasn’t major. Really the only major one suffered was Corey. Obviously, Sterling, he is going to try his best to get back as quickly as possible and I’m going to try to do the same. At the same time, we are rooting for Corey and his recovery.

Q: How much opportunity is there for you to take?
A: Definitely a lot. If anything, with these (injuries) going on, it’s made me extremely eager to get back because of the opportunities that are available.

Q: What did you think of Daniel Jones yesterday?
A: I think he did really well. He made some good throws. He’s a rookie just like I am, so he is still learning, but I think he had a good practice.

Q: With your speed, do you think you can factor into the return game?
A: Towards the end of OTAs, I was fielding punts and fielding kicks. The first day we did it I was fielding punts and stuff, it’s definitely something I’m looking to be a part of.
Q: What kind of impact do you think you can have if you are given the opportunity this season?
A: I think I can have a positive one. I can bring some team speed to the offense, and the ability to make plays with the ball in open space. Hopefully, once I get back from injury and back to practice, I can get back into the swing of things. Throughout preseason, kind of get a feel for games and how it is competing against other teams in the NFL. Just have a positive impact this year.

Q: How good do you think this receiving corps can be?
A: I honestly I think it’s really good. I’ve come to realize that even the guys that aren’t the biggest brand name guys, guys like Sterling Shepard, there are a lot of guys on teams that are really good football players. Obviously you can’t cover everybody, but I definitely think we have a really good group going forward. When we all get healthy and come back together, it will be a really strong group.

Q: How much help have Sterling Shepard and Golden Tate been?
A: Tremendous amount of help. Even just watching them on a daily basis, watching how they run their routes, how they get open and get the ball, it’s incredible. Neither one of them are really big guys. Sometimes when you’re not in the NFL, you think everyone is huge. Both of them are smaller guys, but they make big plays and it’s been a blessing to have them as teammates.