Giants' Malik Nabers won't play Sunday against the Seahawks because of concussion
Malik Nabers of the Giants is helped off the field late during the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on Thursday. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Malik Nabers was the breakout star of the first month of the Giants’ season. Now they must begin the second month without him.
Coach Brian Daboll announced before practice on Friday that the rookie receiver would not make the trip to Seattle for Sunday’s game.
Nabers still is in the NFL’s concussion protocol because of an injury he suffered late in the Giants’ 20-15 loss to the Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 26.
“We’re always going to do what’s right,” Daboll said. “You take those concussions very seriously.
“He’s made progress, but not to the point where he can go out there and play. His safety, his well-being, is first and foremost.”
Daboll added that Nabers has participated in meetings but not on the field. “You don’t want to force anything like that,” he said.
Nabers leads the Giants with 35 receptions for 386 yards and three touchdowns. Wan’Dale Robinson ranks second with about half as many yards (194) as Nabers, who’s been targeted a league-high 52 times.
At least part of Nabers’ offensive load figures to shift to Jalin Hyatt, who has not caught a pass this season.
After practice on Friday, Hyatt told Newsday, “I’m doing the same thing I did in Week 1: Practicing hard, be ready whenever my number’s called. We have a good game plan that I’m excited about.
“For me, it’s just keeping the right mentality, keeping the right focus and staying ready whenever your chances come. I’m ready to do that on Sunday.”
Fellow receiver Darius Slayton said of Hyatt, “I think he’s done a good job of staying locked in. He’s a talented player. I’m excited for him to get his chance.
“As somebody who’s been in his situation before and had a chance like this, this is what it’s all about. When it does come, it’s time to show.”
Receivers coach Mike Groh said, “Jalin’s played enough and had success in this league to have the confidence to go out there and play well. He’s been ready and available every week and excited about every opportunity he gets.”
The Giants’ offense could be further impacted by the absence of running back Devin Singletary, who was limited in practice because of a groin injury and is listed as doubtful.
Singletary’s 221 rushing yards represent almost two-thirds of the Giants’ 341 total yards on the ground.
“That’s why we have the other guys on the roster,” Daboll said. “Obviously, Malik is a talented player. [Singletary] has done a lot for us. But that’s the NFL.”
In addition to Hyatt, the Giants could turn to Isaiah Hodgins, an experienced wide receiver on their practice squad. He has 622 career receiving yards.
Notes & quotes: Singletary said he never had a groin injury before and is wary of making this one worse. Asked about his game status, he said, “Game day, game time, we’ll see. I think it’s going to be up to me, really. If I feel like where I’m comfortable enough to go, I’m going to go.” . . . CBs Adoree’ Jackson (calf) and Dru Phillips (calf) are questionable . . . DB coach Jerome Henderson harshly criticized CB Deonte Banks for his effort on the play on which Dallas’ CeeDee Lamb completed a 55-yard TD play on Sept. 26. “He failed in that moment,” Henderson said. Banks did not disagree. “It was a bad finish by me,” he said. “In the game, I thought it was a [pursuit] angle thing. I didn’t think it was effort until I saw the film and I was like, I could have done more.”
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.
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