EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — New York Giants rookie standout Malik Nabers is in the “early stages” of the concussion protocol, coach Brian Daboll said Wednesday. The Giants are taking the wide receiver’s injury day by day.
While it’s still early to determine Nabers’ status for Sunday’s contest in Seattle, it doesn’t bode well that he wasn’t on the field nearly a week after he suffered the injury, which occurred late in the fourth quarter in the Giants’ 20-15 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Going for a sideline toe-tapping grab on a fourth down play, Nabers fell face forward out of bounds into the Giants sideline.
Nabers’ absence would be a huge loss for the Giants, who’ve relied on the rookie for much of their offensive game plan. His 52 targets are tied with Puka Nacua for the most targets to a rookie receiver through the first four games since the 1970 merger. Nabers has been targeted 38.2 percent of the Giants’ passes — the highest in the league. He has tallied a league-leading 35 receptions and second-best 386 yards. The next closest Giants receiver, Wan’Dale Robinson, has totaled 194 receiving yards on 26 receptions. Darius Slayton is the only other Giants receiver with more than 100 receiving yards (122).
“Let’s wait to see where he’s at,” Daboll said Wednesday. “The guys that are out here practicing will go ahead and take the reps. That will give (wide receiver) Jalin (Hyatt) more reps today than he’s had in practice. Everybody’s got to be ready to go.”
After Thursday’s game, Nabers was in the locker room postgame chatting with teammates and Daboll. Toward the end of media availability in the locker room, outside linebacker Brian Burns was conducting an interview when Nabers re-emerged. Burns shouted across the room to ask Nabers if he was OK. Nabers responded, “Nah,” but later posted on Instagram that he was “all good.” Slayton said Nabers was in “good spirits” when he saw the rookie back in the facility on Monday after a mini-bye.
Another midweek injury of note: RB Devin Singletary (groin) did not practice but worked on the side. Daboll said Singletary ran Monday and that he’s “hopeful” for the running back’s chances. Singletary leads the Giants in rushing yards (221) and carries (56). The next running back behind Singletary is rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. with 29 yards on 12 carries. Singletary has added 72 receiving yards on 10 receptions.
(Photo: Sarah Stier / Getty Images)
