In a Week 2 preseason game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium, New York Giants undrafted rookie defensive tackle Elijah Chatman went viral.
Chatman caught the attention of the entire football world by chasing down Texans running back J.J. Taylor from behind nearly 45 yards down the field.
Elijah Chatman with the HUSTLE 😤👏 pic.twitter.com/BSG9lZQ3Da
— New York Giants (@Giants) August 18, 2024
Although Taylor was ruled to have stepped out of bounds earlier in his run, Chatman’s hustle was still the talk of the town. His teammates celebrated on the sidelines while his coaches praised him after the game.
“Elijah Chatman just made the New York Giants football team,” team legend Carl Banks declared during the game.
Following the team’s final training camp practice on Thursday, nose tackle Dexter Lawrence was asked about Chatman’s motor after he was clocked at 16.28 MPH. And in typical Lawrence fashion, he had some jokes.
What did Dexter Lawrence think about Elijah Chatman chasing down the Texans' JJ Taylor?
"I told him I'm still faster than him" 😂 pic.twitter.com/6Pxd7j7FFC
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) August 22, 2024
“I told him I’m still faster than him,” Lawrence said with a laugh.
Chatman has leaned heavily on Lawrence throughout training camp and the preseason, and the lessons have clearly played off. He’s become a better player each and every day, and his hustle can’t be taught. It’s a good combination that will likely land him on the Giants’ 53-man roster.
Now we just need to see Lawrence and Chatman race.
