New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll provided an update on rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, confirming that his recent ankle injury is not severe. According to Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports, Daboll described the injury as “nothing serious” and emphasized that Nabers’ absence from Tuesday’s practice is expected to be short-term. This reassures fans and the team that the rookie’s recovery should not be prolonged.
Malik Nabers, the No. 6 pick in the 2024 draft, was listed as the top wide receiver on the Giants’ initial depth chart. The injury occurred during a non-contact drill in Sunday’s practice, where Nabers was seen removing his cleat and receiving treatment on the sideline, as reported by Michael Eisen for Giants.com. He missed Monday’s practice due to soreness, but Daboll indicated that the injury was minor, with no fracture suspected.
An MRI and X-ray were conducted to confirm the nature of the injury, and the results aligned with Daboll’s initial assessment.
Despite sitting out Tuesday’s practice, Nabers participated in stretching with the team and worked out on a stationary bike with the training staff, according to reports from Charlotte Carroll of The Athletic and Art Stapleton of North Jersey.com. This suggests a cautious approach to ensure his full recovery.
Nabers had made his debut during the preseason game against the Detroit Lions but did not record any receptions. Nonetheless, he made his mark with a tackle, indicating his readiness for the NFL. With the Giants set to face the Houston Texans in their next preseason game, there is optimism that Nabers could return to practice as early as Thursday, if not sooner.
In other injury news, the Giants received positive updates on tackle Evan Neal and center John Michael Schmitz. Both players, who had been recovering from their respective injuries, returned to practice on Sunday. This return is a significant boost for the Giants as they prepare for the upcoming season, with Daboll hoping for Nabers’ swift recovery to maximize his impact as a key target for quarterback Daniel Jones.
