Coach Brian Daboll mentioned he was once “optimistic” and expects Nabers to make the step up Thursday. Nabers is still in concussion protocol, but appears to be on track to return Sunday when the Giants host the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium.
“Malik has made progress. Good progress, as he can come here today and practice. He will have a red shirt,” Daboll mentioned. “He took some of the steps he needed to take. He’s better, which is good. We’ll see.”
Getting Nabers back would be a huge boost to a Giants offense that scored seven points to end the game against the Cincinnati Bengals and lost Andrew Thomas’ standout left tackle to season-ending core surgery. The Giants are giving third-year lineman Josh Ezeudu the first opportunity to replace Thomas rather than shoehorn 2022 Deny. 7 picks Evan Neal in the lineup.
Nabers suffered the concussion in the fourth quarter on Sept. 26 against the Cowboys, after missing his second straight game Sunday night when the Giants lost 17-7 to the Bengals.
He did some work on the side in running shoes after finishing the event, but wasn’t ready to advance enough distance in the protocol to prepare for the game. Nabers has come a long way in the five days since the Giants’ dismissal.
“He’s much better,” Daboll said.
Nabers, the Negar. 6 pick this year out of LSU, he started his NFL career with a bang. He put in a variety of reports, hauling in 35 receptions for 386 yards and three touchdowns over his first four games.
The intact York also has trauma issues on the defensive end. The celebrity defense against Dexter Lawrence (hip) and running back Brian Burns (groin) did not continue Wednesday, and outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (wrist) was placed on injury suspension in the final event.
Daboll analyzes Lawrence and Burns day by day.
