Latest Malik Nabers injury news is bigger than it seems for New York Giants, here’s why
The New York Giants’ training camp is off to a hot start before it even begins. Let’s break down the latest Malik Nabers injury news.
The New York Giants received a massive boost heading into training camp when wide receiver Malik Nabers avoided the PUP list.
Nabers tore multiple ligaments in his knee against the Los Angeles Chargers last season after a scorching start to his second year. He required two surgeries, which understandably rattled the fan base. The latest update, however, is encouraging. New York will not place Nabers on the PUP list for the start of training camp, which means he can participate in team drills and begin reintegrating with the offense.
Why Nabers on the field changes everything
The biggest concern Giants fans had entering the year was Nabers’ rust coming off of the injury. With a new offensive coordinator in Matt Nagy and a second-year quarterback in Jaxson Dart, New York needs to build chemistry and flow early. If he wasn’t able to participate in practice, it could have been a frustrating reacclimation in the middle of the regular season.
Instead, Nabers can now go at his own pace while gradually working in team drills during the preseason. The preseason is the best opportunity to work through kinks and build chemistry. Now Nabers can be a part of that process. Additionally, had Nabers ended camp on PUP, he would have been required to miss four regular season games. The fact that he’s not listed now could be interpreted as the Giants believing he’ll be ready before.
Even if Nabers doesn’t contribute meaningfully in the first few games, his presence on the field during camp allows him to work alongside the receivers and begin acclimating to the offensive system.
I stand by the fact that Nabers is the most important offensive player on this team for a wide range of reasons. The receiver room without him is uninspiring. With him playing at full strength, building off the 1,200 yards he posted as a rookie, the offense has a fighting chance to be balanced, explosive, and difficult for opposing defenses to handle. With him and without him, the Giants are completely different teams.