Slayton’s return not called out

Speed is tantalizing, but sometimes experience is better.

Giants rookie Darius Slayton returned kickoffs for the first time in his career, including college, last week against the Cardinals. With Corey Ballentine (concussion) sidelined, the Giants turned to their fastest man.

Slayton, who has been a pleasant surprise as a wide receiver, averaged 21.8 yards on four returns, but made a questionable decision to take the ball out of the end zone from a yard deep with 2:09 remaining in the game. He was tackled seven seconds later at the 12-yard line.

The Giants trailed by 27-21 (final score, too) and Slayton’s decision might have cost them one offensive play, in addition to field position. It could’ve cost them two plays, if he hadn’t been tackled before the two-minute warning. Was it the wrong decision? “Coach [ Pat Shurmur] wants to be aggressive, and that’s the whole thing,” special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey said. “I tell our guys all the time, we err on the side of being aggressive. That’s our mantra as a group and as a unit. We’re not going to shy away from anything. We’re going to play fast, we’re going to play physical, we’re going to try to make a play.”

➤ Shurmur essentially confirmed a Post report that Sterling Shepard is unlikely to be cleared from the NFL’s concussion protocol in time to play Sunday against the Lions.

➤ The Giants were active sellers before the 2018 trade deadline, sending defensive starters Damon Harrison to the Lions and Eli Apple to the Saints. The Giants are 2-5 and underdogs to the Lions on Sunday, but just made a win-now move by signing free agent linebacker Deone Bucannon.

“I don’t know about the buying/selling thing,” Shurmur said. “I think you’re always looking to upgrade. That’s where we’re at roster-wise. It’s a matter of record we made major changes to the roster in the last two years. We’re very young.”