EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Kadarius Toney experienced a full range of NFL emotions yesterday in his fifth career game.
With three wide receivers -- Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton and Kenny Golladay -- down with injuries, the Giants' 2021 first-round draft choice stepped up. He set a franchise rookie record with 189 receiving yards on 10 catches.
That was the good news. The bad news was the Giants lost to the Dallas Cowboys in AT&T Stadium, 44-20. And Toney was already in the locker room when the game ended because he was ejected for punching Dallas safety Demontae Kazee with 5:52 remaining.
First, the performance, in which Toney broke Odell Beckham Jr.'s rookie record of 185 yards, set in 2014.
"It really felt special really just going out there and executing the game plan," Toney said. "We worked on the plays over and over throughout the week and it just felt good to execute at a high level going out there."
Toney was contrite when asked about the ejection.
"Me and (coach Joe) Judge talked, and you know, stuff like that," Toney said. "Really, it was just a one-time thing. I'm a rookie making early mistakes. I've just got to learn from them and build from it.
"I felt like I needed to apologize to mainly everyone because as far as little kids looking up to me and stuff like that, it's not the example I want to set for them. I feel like everybody makes mistakes and stuff like that, but at the end of the day we always have to be accountable for our emotions and our actions also."
View the best photos of wide receiver Kadarius Toney's rookie season with the Giants.
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) runs the ball against Atlanta Falcons cornerback Fabian Moreau, right, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
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New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during a week 3 football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday September 26th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Kadarius Toney (89)
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New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during a week 3 football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday September 26th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during a week 3 football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday September 26th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during a week 2 Thursday Night football game against the Washington Football Team on Thursday September 16th, 2021 in Landover, Maryland.
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during a Week 4 football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during a Week 4 football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) runs after a catch against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during a Week 4 football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during a Week 4 football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) runs after a catch against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during a week 1 game against the Denver Broncos on September 12th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) runs after a catch against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) runs after a catch against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) runs after making a catch as Dallas Cowboys cornerback Anthony Brown (30) defends during an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) escapes tackle attempts by Dallas Cowboys' Anthony Brown (30) and safety Malik Hooker, bottom right, as Toney gains long yardage after a catch in the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) runs after a catch against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) runs after a catch against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) makes a catch against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) carries the ball during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 44-20. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) catches a pass as Dallas Cowboys cornerback Anthony Brown, bottom, defends in the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) throws a pass against the Dallas Cowboys in an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) makes a leaping catch over Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (26) in the second half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. ((Photo by Matt Strasen/AP Images for Panini))
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) warms up before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Keanu Neal (42) defends as New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) prepares to throw a pass in the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
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New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) throws a pass in the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) runs the ball during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) runs the ball during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) runs a route during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in New Orleans. The Giants defeated the Saints, 27-21. (Logan Bowles via AP)
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New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) runs the ball during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) lines up at the line of scrimmage prior to a play during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in New Orleans. The Giants defeated the Saints, 27-21. (Logan Bowles via AP)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) lines up for a play in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) lines up against New Orleans Saints safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (22) in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) warms up before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) carries between New Orleans Saints free safety Marcus Williams (43) and cornerback Ken Crawley (25) in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) runs against the Atlanta Falcons during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) carries against New Orleans Saints strong safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) runs off the line of scrimmage during a week 3 football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday September 25, 2021 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) carries against New Orleans Saints strong safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney runs a play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
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New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) runs against the Atlanta Falcons during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) makes a catch during a week 3 football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday September 25, 2021 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) runs against the Atlanta Falcons during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney runs a play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney runs a play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) lines up out wide during an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Landover, Md. Washington won 30-29. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
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New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during a week 2 Thursday Night football game against the Washington Football Team on Thursday September 16, 2021 in Landover, Md The Washington Football Team beat the New York Giants 30-29. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) runs a route during an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Landover, Md. Washington won 30-29. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney runs a play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during a NFL Training Camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday August 3, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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Sterling Shepard (3), Kadarius Toney (89)
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Kenny Golladay (19), Kadarius Toney (89)
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New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during a NFL Training Camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday August 10, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during a NFL Training Camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday August 10, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday June 9, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during a NFL Training Camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday August 10, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday June 9, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday June 9, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during a NFL Training Camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday August 9, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
WR Kadarius Toney (89)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday June 9, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday June 9, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during a NFL Training Camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday August 7, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday June 8, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday June 9, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday June 9, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) arrives for a preseason joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday August 25, 2021 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during a NFL Training Camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday August 7, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during a NFL Training Camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday August 7, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday June 8, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during a NFL Training Camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday August 3, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during a NFL Training Camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday August 7, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during a NFL Training Camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday August 3, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during a NFL Training Camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday August 3, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday June 8, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday June 8, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Giants Draft Pick WR Kadarius Toney tours at Quest Diagnostics Training Center following the 2021 NFL Draft.
Giants Draft Pick WR Kadarius Toney tours at Quest Diagnostics Training Center following the 2021 NFL Draft.
Giants Draft Pick WR Kadarius Toney tours at Quest Diagnostics Training Center following the 2021 NFL Draft.
Giants Draft Pick WR Kadarius Toney tours at Quest Diagnostics Training Center following the 2021 NFL Draft.
Giants Draft Pick WR Kadarius Toney tours at Quest Diagnostics Training Center following the 2021 NFL Draft.
Giants Draft Pick WR Kadarius Toney tours at Quest Diagnostics Training Center following the 2021 NFL Draft.
Giants Draft Pick WR Kadarius Toney tours at Quest Diagnostics Training Center following the 2021 NFL Draft.
Giants Draft Pick WR Kadarius Toney tours at Quest Diagnostics Training Center following the 2021 NFL Draft.
Giants Draft Pick WR Kadarius Toney tours at Quest Diagnostics Training Center following the 2021 NFL Draft.
Giants Draft Pick WR Kadarius Toney tours at Quest Diagnostics Training Center following the 2021 NFL Draft.
Giants Draft Pick WR Kadarius Toney tours at Quest Diagnostics Training Center following the 2021 NFL Draft.
Giants Draft Pick WR Kadarius Toney tours at Quest Diagnostics Training Center following the 2021 NFL Draft.
Judge would not say if Toney will be disciplined.
"I spoke to Kadarius," Judge said. "I've spoken to the team as well. Look, that's something we're not going to condone. In terms of any discipline, I keep things in house. So, I'm not going to go ahead and make any kind of public statements about anything that's going to be happening in house. But I spoke to KT, I'm not going to speak for him right now, I know he put something out there already, but I like the way this guy has responded to a lot of things and I'm confident he's going to respond the right way to this."
The teams engaged in a brief skirmish after Toney caught a 13-yard pass from backup quarterback Mike Glennon. Toney dismissed a suggestion that his hit on Kazee might have been justified.
"It's more of a moral thing, at the end of the day," Toney said. "I know right from wrong. At the end of the day, I know that in this sport, it's not boxing or hockey or anything else where you can just fight and stuff like that. At the end of the day, I've got to take responsibility for what I did and that's just what it is. If it was a wrong action, that's just how I look at it."
Toney insisted his play on the field will define him going forward.
"All I've got to do is really show by my actions," he said. "We've got a few opponents coming up that are 'rowdy' I guess you could say. Just how I react, it's not about what they do, but how I react – and I know how to react from now on."
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