Jawill ‘returns’ to action

Jawill Davis appears in line for another shot at jump-starting the Giants’ ailing return game, but the next candidate is approaching the on-deck circle.

Davis, an undrafted rookie receiver from BethuneCookman, became the third Giants players in four weeks to handle kickoffs, averaging 20 yards on three returns in his NFL debut against the Saints. Though the Giants brought in competition by signing rookie return specialist Quadree Henderson to the practice squad this week, specials teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey seems intent on giving Davis another opportunity.

“He has to. You’re not going to learn by sitting on the bench,” McGaughey said. “You’ve got to play, and that’s the only way you’re going to ascend in this league. You got to have game reps. It’s one thing to do it out here on the practice fields. It’s a whole other different thing to do it on game day during the regular season.

“He’s a guy that has a ton of upside, but again, he’s a young player that needs reps … and we look forward to him making great strides moving forward. Once he gets a couple of weeks under his belt, he’s going to be all right.”

If Davis becomes another uninspiring option — the Giants currently rank 27th in the league in kick returns, averaging 17.2 yards — Henderson will be ready.

Another undrafted rookie, Henderson was one of college football’s most dynamic returners at Pittsburgh, taking four kickoffs and three punts for touchdowns during his three seasons. McGaughey became familiar with Henderson this year, visiting him at Pittsburgh in March, and watching him during a workout with the Giants in September. Henderson spent training camp with the Steelers, but was released before the season began.

“He’s a sure-handed guy,” McGaughey said. “He obviously had a lot of production in college and we liked what we saw on tape, and his pro day. ... We’d like to see what he does at the next level.”