New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) makes a short gain as Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (13) closes in during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Credit: Robert Deutsch - Imagn Images
New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers will miss Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks due to a concussion, head coach Brian Daboll announced Friday.
The Giants will also likely be without running back Devin Singletary, who is listed as doubtful with a groin injury. Singletary returned to practice on Friday in a limited role and said he’s feeling better.
Nabers sustained a concussion late in last Thursday’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys. The No. 6 overall pick in this year’s draft leads the Giants with 35 receptions for 386 yards and three touchdowns.
“We won’t travel him [to Seattle],” Daboll said. “[We’ll] keep him home. He’ll be inside [Friday]. He is making progress, but we’re going to do everything we can do to get him as healthy and right as we can.”
Hyatt to Step Up
With Nabers out, third-round pick Jalin Hyatt will have a bigger role, alongside Darius Slayton, who is likely to step into Nabers’ spot, and slot receiver Wan’Dale Robinson. Hyatt has seen limited action this season with only three targets and no catches.
“I’m a competitor,” said Hyatt, who was frustrated when Slayton beat him out for the No. 2 wide receiver spot this summer. “I want to be out there and be able to play, and obviously, I didn’t have a lot of chances this season.
“But like I said, it’s a long season. Things happen, injuries happen, and I got to be ready, I got to be ready whenever my number’s called. And if it is called this week, I’ll be ready.”
Nabers has been crucial to the Giants’ offense, averaging 13 targets per game and accounting for 44% of their receiving yards and 50% of their total touchdowns. If both Nabers and Singletary are out, the Giants will be without 57% of their offense and 83% of their touchdowns this season.
Jones Adjusts Without Nabers
Daboll said Wednesday that Nabers was in the “early stages” of the concussion protocol. That made it difficult to get clearance before the end of the week even though he has made progress. Given a few more days, there was a chance he could get through the protocol.
“We’re always going to do what’s right. We take those concussions very seriously, and he’s showing progress but not to the point where he can go out there and play,” Daboll said. “But his safety, his well-being is first and foremost.”
The Giants host the Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 13 at MetLife Stadium. The hope is that Nabers will be back for that game.
His absence will make life more difficult for quarterback Daniel Jones, who has developed an instant chemistry with the rookie wide receiver.
“There’s no doubt he’s been a big part of our offense so far and someone who we’ve counted on in a lot of spots. So it’ll change a little bit,” Jones said. “But the guys we got out there, we have a lot of confidence in them winning their matchups and getting open. I know we’ll play well. So we’re confident in whoever’s out there, and we’re lucky to have a deep group of receivers and a lot of talented guys.”
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This report used information from ESPN.
