Malik Nabers, the New York Giants rookie wide receiver, returned to practice on Wednesday, sporting a red non-contact jersey for the first time since suffering a concussion nearly three weeks ago in a game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Although he remains in the concussion protocol, his return to practice is seen as a positive sign for his potential availability in the Giants’ upcoming game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Head coach Brian Daboll expressed optimism, noting that Nabers is progressing well and could take another step forward on Thursday.
Daboll confirmed that Nabers has cleared some steps in the concussion protocol, allowing him to participate in practice. This development is encouraging for a Giants offense that struggled in its recent game, scoring only seven points against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The team has also been dealing with other injuries, including the loss of standout left tackle Andrew Thomas, who is out for the season due to foot surgery. The Giants are adjusting by giving third-year lineman Josh Ezeudu the opportunity to fill Thomas’ position rather than moving Evan Neal, their 2022 first-round pick, into that role.
Nabers’ concussion occurred in the fourth quarter of the Giants’ game against the Cowboys on September 26, and he has since missed two games, including a 17-7 loss to the Bengals. Although he was unable to clear the concussion protocol in time for the Bengals game, Nabers has been making noticeable progress over the past five days. He was seen running on the sidelines with trainers late last week, signaling a possible return soon.
The Giants are eager to have Nabers back on the field, as he had an explosive start to his rookie season after being selected with the No. 6 overall pick out of LSU. In his first four NFL games, Nabers set several records and accumulated 35 catches for 386 yards and three touchdowns, proving to be a key asset for the Giants’ offense. His return would be a significant boost, particularly given the team’s recent offensive struggles.
In addition to Nabers’ recovery, the Giants are facing injury issues on the defensive side of the ball. Star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and edge rusher Brian Burns both missed practice on Wednesday due to hip and groin injuries, respectively, while outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux was placed on injured reserve last week. Daboll considers Lawrence and Burns day-to-day, but both players have expressed their intent to play against the Eagles, signaling hope for the Giants’ defense in the upcoming game.
