With Giants' Malik Nabers still in concussion protocol, Daniel Jones expresses confidence in other receivers
Malik Nabers #1 of the Giants is helped off the field late during the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on Thursday, Sep. 26, 2024. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Malik Nabers remained in concussion protocol on Wednesday.
The rookie wide receiver sustained the injury during last week’s 20-15 loss to the Cowboys.
So, the Giants began preparations to face the Seahawks in Seattle without their top receiver. Of the Giants total receiving yards, Nabers is responsible for 44% of them. The Giants have 881 receiving yards. Nabers has 386.
What did quarterback Daniel Jones see without Nabers on the field Wednesday?
“I thought we had a good day,” Jones said. “I think we got a lot of guys who can make plays. We’ve said that really through training camp up till now and guys stepped up today and made plays. We’ll see what happens with Malik through the week, but [I am] confident in all our guys.”
Of Nabers, coach Brian Daboll said, “Let’s see where he’s at. The guys that are out here practicing will go ahead and take the reps. That will give Jalin [Hyatt] more reps today than he’s had in practice [previously]. Everybody’s got to be ready to go.”
Hyatt has not caught a pass this season and hasn’t scored a touchdown in his career.
Running back Devin Singletary’s status for Sunday is also uncertain. He left the Cowboys game with a groin injury.
Jones acknowledged that if Nabers can’t play, it would leave a considerable void in the offense. The receiver has been spectacular in the first four games of his rookie season, catching 35 passes and three touchdowns. With Nabers averaging 13 targets, his absence would be felt. And someone, or multiple players, would have to fill that void.
“I mean, there’s no doubt he’s been a big part of our offense so far and someone who we’ve counted on in a lot of spots,” Jones said. “So, it’ll change a little bit. But the guys we got out there, we have a lot of confidence in them winning their matchups and getting open. I know we’ll play well. So, we’re confident in whoever’s out there and we’re lucky to have a deep group of receivers and a lot of talented guys.”
Jones said he watched the Lions defeat the Seahawks, 42-29, on Monday.
His takeaway?
“I thought the Seahawks have a good defense,” he said.
What about his own game last Thursday?
“I thought, for the most part, I played with good rhythm and made good decisions where to go with the ball,” Jones said. “I thought guys did a good job getting open. I thought we did a really good job protecting against a good pass rush. I think it was just some missed opportunities that you’d like to have back. But overall, I felt like execution was good, for the most part. We just got to convert those opportunities.”
Lawrence in focus
Dexter Lawrence was named to Pro Football Focus’ First-Quarter All-Pro Team. Lawrence has gotten used to such honors over the last two seasons. And the accolades likely will keep coming.
After a solid start to his NFL career, Lawrence has begun to shine, as evidenced by his back-to-back selections as a second-team All-Pro. The next step for Lawrence, of course, would be to earn a first-team selection.
In PFF’s estimation, Lawrence could be headed there and no one in the Giants locker room would argue with that.
“Lawrence’s 18 total pressures trail only Chris Jones of the Kansas City Chiefs among players on the defensive interior,” wrote PFF’s Gordon McGuinness. “He has excelled against the run, too.”
Lawrence, 26, has registered three sacks through the first four games, which puts him on pace to shatter his previous career-high of 7.5, set in 2022. He has been a dominant force on the field, even as the Giants have disappointed.
Injury report
OLB Brian Burns (groin) was limited in practice. Cornerbacks Dru Phillips (calf) and Adoree’ Jackson (calf) didn’t practice but worked on the side.
Kimberly Jones covers the Giants for Newsday, a beat she first worked in the early 2000s before joining the YES Network to cover the Yankees. She worked for the NFL Network for more than a decade and has been heard semi-regularly on WFAN.
