The New York Giants got an important update about injured wide receiver Malik Nabers.
Getting Malik Nabers back up to full speed has been a careful balancing act for the New York Giants so far this offseason, and head coach Brian Daboll provided an important update about the star wide receiver’s progress.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, June 12, Daboll revealed Nabers is “progressing” through his recovery from a toe injury, per ESPN’s Jordan Raanan. The latter also relayed Daboll confirming Nabers “will still be rehabbing. Has done some walk-through stuff.”
Brian Daboll said WR Malik Nabers is “progressing” with the toe problem. Will still be rehabbing. Has done some walk-through stuff.
That last note is crucial. Nabers participating in walk-through activity is important because it proves he’s getting closer to play readiness. The Giants need Nabers at 100 percent and developing chemistry with the members of a new-look quarterback room led by 10-time Pro Bowler Russell Wilson and first-round draft pick Jaxson Dart.
Nabers is the headline act of the better-than-advertised supporting cast the Giants have been quietly assembling around football’s most important position.
Giants Can Expect More from Malik Nabers in Week 2
The toe problem that blighted Nabers during OTAs is an ongoing injury, so it makes sense for the 21-year-old to take the time now to heal right. If he can, the Giants can reasonably expect more from their star playmaker in his second season.
That expectation comes from how effective Nabers was as a rookie, despite mediocre quarterback play. The sixth player taken in the 2024 NFL draft still managed to snag 109 catches for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns.
Nabers’ record-setting production overcame the hesitancy of former starer Daniel Jones. As James Foster of Wide Left explained, Nabers’ “stop/curl was the most consistent route from the entire class. He created enough separation on these routes that he was often still open by the time Daniel Jones decided to throw him the ball.”
After spending the last week watching 2024 WRs, I think the Malik Nabers stop/curl was the most consistent route from the entire class. He created enough separation on these routes that he was often still open by the time Daniel Jones decided to throw him the ball
Having Wilson, fellow veteran Jameis Winston and Dart replace Jones and Co. is great news for Nabers. All three possess superior arm talent and a natural flair for pushing the ball vertically.
Nabers will be the main beneficiary, but his health won’t be the only determining factor for the success of the Giants’ offense. Not when there are other intriguing skill players around him.
Giants Getting Better at Skill Positions
Drafting Nabers gave the Giants the alpha receiver they’d lacked for too long, but smart late-round draft work can transform another key area of the offense. Last year’s fifth-round pick Tyrone Tracy Jr. is a multi-purpose running back with a history-making track record, but he’s not the only one to watch in the backfield.
There’s also Cam Skattebo, taken in the fourth round of 2025’s draft. He’s equipped to make the Giants more physical on the deck.
A one-two punch of Skattebo and Tracy can finally help the Giants forget about letting Saquon Barkley walk in free agency, join the rival Philadelphia Eagles and win a Super Bowl last season.
More juice in the running game will also complement a receiver corps led by Nabers, but featuring the field-stretching talents of Darius Slayton and Jalin Hyatt. The latter has been showing some much-needed improvement at OTAs, a welcome sight from arguably the most talented deep threat on the roster.
Attacking long through the air should be the defining feature of Big Blue’s offense with Wilson throwing the passes. It will work better with Nabers fully acclimated with new quarterbacks and more expansive concepts in the playbook.
