A collective gasp from the Bronx to Cape May, NJ, took place this past Sunday afternoon when New York Giants No. 6 overall pick Malik Nabers exited practice 20 minutes early. While they’re not totally out of the woods yet, they can now slightly exhale.
It was difficult for eye-witnesses to tell what actually happened on Sunday, but Nabers did leave the field during practice, could be seen with his shoe off, and received attention from New York’s training staff, according to Art Stapleton of USA Today. He was eventually diagnosed with a mild ankle sprain.
Stapleton later reported that Nabers spent the remaining minutes of practice on a training box using an exercise band on his foot. He also walked back onto the field to break down the huddle and wasn’t exactly adamant on getting back in to get his foot checked out after. Stapleton then went on to say that the Giants are “hopeful Nabers is OK and appears to have avoided a serious injury to his left foot.”
Early Indications say Malik Nabers Injury was No More than a Scare
While these early reports prompting Nabers’ early exit from practice as a minor concern rather than major, Giants fans were able to close out their weekends without much stress. Nabers has been a bright spot and then some at camp so far this summer, getting easy separation from the team’s best corners, running sharp routes, and making contested catches.
It was the day after, however, where the additional support came made the Nabers injury seem like a jump scare in a thriller film rather than anything else.
Nabers’ Appearance on Up & Adams Speaks to His Health
After that turbulent practice on Sunday, Dexter Lawrence, Daniel Jones, and Nabers conducted interviews with Kay Adams of Up & Adams, which dropped on Monday. While Nabers doesn’t need a healthy foot to speak into a mic, the touted wideout’s willingness to do the interview bodes well for his injury. A number of media members endorsed the idea that Nabers would not have done the interview had he been seriously injured, including Adams herself.
I dunno man. I just interviewed him. If he was hurt I would not have just interviewed him. https://t.co/EyN9bj66A2
— Kay Adams (@heykayadams) August 11, 2024
Stapleton agreed.
“Nabers did the interview with Kay today AFTER leaving practice with the ankle injury,” he wrote on X. “He was still moving in some discomfort. But if Giants feared this was something serious, no way does he still do this interview.”
Nabers did not practice Monday, and head coach Brian Daboll said he’s “still being evaluated” and that he’s “a little sore.” Regardless, whenever a dynamic player goes down, fans and fantasy investors alike oftentimes fear the worst, and everything we heard yesterday argues that isn’t what we’re dealing with here.
Other Injury News
Onto the offensive line, the Giants did activate tackle Evan Neal from the active/physically unable to perform (PUP) list on Monday. The Alabama product contributed to an O-line that gave up a whopping 85 sacks last year, good for the worst mark in the entire league.
When booed by fans, Neal called them hot dog and hamburger flippers, though he later went on to explain that was a mistake. The former No. 7 overall pick is taking a less hostile approach to this season as well.
“Whatever role that the team has for me, I’m going to embrace it,” Neal told reporters after being activated. “So, whether that’s starting or not starting, I’m here to contribute to the team, and I’m going to do everything in my power to do so. I’m not owed anything, and I can’t feel like I deserve anything. All I want is what I work for.”
Main Image: Lucas Boland – USA Today Sports
