Credit: Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers is set to return this weekend against the Philadelphia Eagles after missing two games with a concussion. Nabers, a rookie, described the concussion he suffered two weeks ago against the Dallas Cowboys as “scary.” He doesn’t remember the end of the play, and video showed him unconscious after hitting his head hard on the turf while trying to catch a pass from quarterback Daniel Jones.
“It was scary when I couldn’t remember what happened,” Nabers said. “I can’t remember the last play I was in, so yeah, it was kind of scary.
“Last thing I remember was [Jones] throwing me the ball. That was it.”
Nabers Cleared to Return After Concussion
“The seventh overall pick in this year’s draft experienced headaches and throbbing in his head after the injury but received clearance from concussion protocol on Thursday, exactly two weeks after the injury. Although he limited himself in practice Friday due to a lingering groin issue from his college days, the Giants don’t expect it to affect his availability for Sunday’s game.”
Giants coach Brian Daboll explained that Nabers’ groin “tightened up” during practice, so they took precautionary steps, but Nabers is not listed on the injury report and plans to play a full role.
Nabers wasn’t the only player returning from injury. Running back Devin Singletary (groin) will also suit up after missing two games. However, defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (hip) and outside linebacker Brian Burns (groin) are both listed as questionable, though they have both indicated they expect to play.
Criticism Over Concert Attendance
Nabers’ recovery has drawn attention, especially after he attended a Travis Scott concert with teammate Isaiah Simmons while still in the concussion protocol. Some fans criticized his decision on social media, but Nabers clarified that he informed the team before attending the concert and insisted that it didn’t affect his recovery.
“Yeah, I’m going to always be myself,” he said. “I mean, that’s the life that I chose to live. It’s what comes with the job. But at the end of the day, I still got my own life. I still got my own personal life, so I’m going to continue to have my own personal life. I’m going to still continue to watch my back and I’m going to still continue to have my personal life.”
Nabers addressed the criticism about the concert, noting that he didn’t experience any issues with the loud sounds or lights during the event.
“I mean, that’s their business. If they researched about what caused a concussion, what makes it worse, and on the internet if they say it’s the lights, hearing [loud noises], then that’s on them,” Nabers said. “I didn’t face anything with the lights. They asked me if I had problem with lights, I told them no. Having problems with the sound, I told them no. … I’ve been playing loud music since I’ve known [about] the concussion in the car. I go out with the lights on. I played the game with lights. So I mean, I didn’t have anything with my eyes. It wasn’t making my head hurt. Sound wasn’t making my head hurt. So I was fine.”
Health Remains Priority for Rookie WR
Now fully focused on his return, Nabers said his priority was ensuring his health before getting back on the field. After missing two games, including watching the Giants’ lone touchdown in a 17-7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals last week, he’s eager to contribute again.
“My health is the most important thing,” Nabers said. “I wasn’t frustrated, just waiting until I felt right to return.”
“My health is really the most important thing,” Nabers said. “So I really wasn’t frustrated. It was just getting back out there when I feel right.”
The Giants will look to Nabers to bring a boost to their offense in a crucial matchup against the Eagles.
This report used information from ESPN.
