The New York Giants could be without their top pass-catcher on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.
Rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers is listed as questionable with an injured hip flexor and did not practice Friday.
"[I'm] hopeful that he'll be ready to play," head coach Brian Daboll told reporters (h/t ESPN's Jordan Raanan). "But [I] can't say he will be or not."
Daboll shot down questions over whether Nabers' injury was serious enough to end his season, since it reportedly is an issue he's had since his college days at LSU.
"No ... [the trainers] said they wouldn't rule him out," Daboll said, adding he only learned of the injury moments before speaking to the press.
Nabers, drafted No. 6 overall in April, has had a very successful individual campaign in his rookie year.
His 11.6 targets-per-game lead the league, totaling 75 receptions for 740 yards and three touchdowns for New York.
However, at 2-10, the team is in a bad situation that could only be made worse with Nabers' potential absence on Sunday.
Eliminated from playoff contention, a shot at a top draft pick or Daboll retaining his job are the only things at stake in the final weeks of the season.
The Giants would be wise to err on the side of caution and prevent longer-lasting damage to Nabers' body. The 21-year-old is clearly the future of the franchise.
Updates on his status will be closely watched over the next 48 hours as more information becomes available.
