Giants' Malik Nabers appeared in good spirits after concussion vs. Cowboys
Giants coach Brian Daboll on Friday did not offer any substantive update on star rookie receiver Malik Nabers, who suffered a concussion in Thursday night’s 20-15 loss to the Cowboys at MetLife Stadium.
Daboll said only that Nabers is in the league’s concussion protocol, and “any other updates I don’t have for you.”
Asked about planning for an offense potentially without Nabers next week, the coach said only, “We’ll take it day by day here and see where he’s at.”
Daboll did confirm that Nabers was in the Giants’ facility on Friday and in good spirits. Daboll said the receiver texted him during the video news conference the coach was having with reporters.
What did Nabers say? Daboll said that was “private.”
Nabers was hurt on a pivotal play with the Giants trailing, 20-15, and 3 ½ minutes remaining.
On a fourth-and-6 from the Giants’ 45-yard line, Daniel Jones scrambled out of trouble and found Nabers along the left sideline.
The receiver initially appeared to have made a brilliant catch, keeping both feet in bounds, causing the Giants sideline to erupt in celebration.
But as Nabers landed face-first, the ball came loose and his head hit the ground, causing him to leave the game with a concussion.
Nabers was in the locker room interacting with teammates after the game and appeared to be in good spirits, but he was off limits to reporters.
He posted a picture of himself on Instagram early Friday morning with a hands in prayer emoji around the caption, “All good. Thanks for all the prayers!!!”
Asked after the game whether he initially thought Nabers had made the fourth-down catch, Jones said, “It looked like he did from my view on it. He played a heck of a game again and he showed up for us big time, so we’ll keep trusting him with it.”
Nabers, the sixth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, had 12 receptions for 115 yards in the loss to the Cowboys and now has 35 catches for 386 yards and three touchdowns overall.
Four games into his NFL career, he arguably is the Giants’ most popular player.
Nabers could benefit from the extra-long break that follows a Thursday night game. The Giants next play on Oct. 6, at the Seattle Seahawks.
If Nabers can’t go, the slack will have to be picked up by Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt. Or maybe even the tight ends, who have combined for five receptions this season.
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.
