Giants' Malik Nabers, O-line crucial to reviving a moribund offense

Malik Nabers insisted he was getting open last week despite a lack of action, and he plans to get open again on Monday night when the Giants visit the Steelers.

But the rookie receiving star is not in this alone, so his ability to return to making big plays is tied to how the line and quarterback perform alongside him.

That could prove tricky. Quarterback Daniel Jones is coming off a poor outing in a 28-3 loss to the Eagles, and the line faces question marks at both tackle spots.

Before Saturday’s practice, coach Brian Daboll said the Giants still were deciding between Josh Ezeudu and Chris Hubbard on the left side.

The former struggled against Philadelphia. The latter joined the team last week off the 49ers’ practice squad.

As for right tackle, Jermaine Eluemunor missed another practice with a hip injury and is listed as questionable. His backup, Evan Neal, has much to prove.

Making matters worse, the right side of the line will be dealing with star Pittsburgh pass rusher T.J. Watt. Daboll said he is optimistic that Eluemunor will make it. But if Neal is needed, Daboll said, “He has a significant challenge ahead of him with Watt lining up over there.

“He’s done everything he can do to be as prepared as he can be and has to go out there and do it. But certainly, a tough challenge to be the first time out.”

None of this bodes well for Nabers, who is crucial to reviving a moribund offense.

After leading the league in targets through four weeks, then missing two games because of a concussion, he returned against the Eagles and was targeted only eight times, finishing with four catches for 41 yards, all in the first half.

When Nabers was asked afterward what the Eagles were doing differently late in the game, he said there was nothing in particular and noted that he was getting open. That remark raised eyebrows, but Daboll agreed with Nabers’ observation when asked about it on Monday.

On Friday, Nabers was asked on two occasions about his postgame comments and declined to revisit the topic.

“That’s something I said last week, last game,” he said. “This is a new week. I don’t want to talk about it.”

But he did address the offense’s woes in general. “A lot of miscues,” he said. “A lot of things that we cleaned up and practiced over the week. We feel better about that.

“We’ve just got to communicate more, stay on task. Third down, making explosive plays, when the ball is handed to you, make some plays with it.”

The offense totaled 119 yards last week, its fewest in a game in 25 years.

Now the Giants are facing a defense that ranks second in the NFL in yards allowed per rush at 3.6. That suggests the passing game must come through.

The most direct path to achieving that: Nabers being open, the line giving Jones time to find him and Jones then doing so.

“I think you want a receiver to think he’s open,” Jones said. “You go back and look at the tape, maybe [there were] one or two opportunities to get him the ball and see where I can do that.”

“You want a receiver to want the ball, and I think Malik understood what was going on and we had a conversation. I understand his point of view too. So certainly trying to get him involved.”

Notes & quotes: CB Adoree’ Jackson (neck), P Jamie Gillan (hamstring) and LB Ty Summers (ankle) are out. CB Cor’Dale Flott (groin) is doubtful. CB Tre Hawkins (ankle) is questionable . . . LB Brian Burns (groin/Achilles) practiced on a limited basis but is not listed with any injury status, so he should play.

By Neil Best

neil.best@newsday.com@sportswatch

Neil Best first worked at Newsday in 1982, returned in 1985 after a detour to Alaska and has been here since, specializing in high schools, college basketball, the NFL and most recently sports media and business.