Despite the summer fears that New York Giants receiver Malik Nabers could miss Week 1, the explosive superstar is on track to play against the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 13.
Nabers finally shed his red no-contact jersey earlier this week, taking the next significant step in recovering from last year’s knee injury and the subsequent setback. His accelerated progress comes amid Calvin Austin III’s season-ending ACL tear and continued questions about Odell Beckham Jr., Darnell Mooney, and the rest of the receiving corps.
Barring catastrophe, Jaxson Dart will start his sophomore season throwing to both Nabers and tight end Isaiah Likely — and if all goes to plan, Nabers could join an exclusive club among those who played for John Harbaugh.
Malik Nabers could become only John Harbaugh’s second receiver to earn Pro Bowl honors
Well, technically, he’d be the fourth, but Jacoby Jones (2012) and Devin Duvernay (2021-22) made the Pro Bowl as returners. Harbaugh spent nearly 20 years in Baltimore, and Zay Flowers is the only Ravens receiver who made the Pro Bowl based on his offensive numbers.
The context of why that’s the case is vital, though. Baltimore relied heavily on its running game, short passes, and maximizing the tight end. Ask new Giants fullback/tight end Pat Ricard, who made six Pro Bowls over a seven-year span.
Tight end Mark Andrews has three career Pro Bowl appearances, and Harbaugh had seven running backs or fullbacks earn the honor. Then you obviously have dual-threat quarterback Lamar Jackson, who has become a perennial Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection.
That’s not to say Harbaugh didn’t have quality receivers in Baltimore. But with respect to the likes of Torrey Smith and Rashod Bateman, neither matches Nabers from a talent perspective. Anquan Boldin and Steve Smith Sr. both joined the Ravens later in their careers, and Derrick Mason’s Pro Bowl days were behind him when Harbaugh arrived in 2008.
Call it a “Captain Obvious” take, but the Giants are not positioned to go far without a healthy Nabers. You likely know the deal by now; Austin is hurt, Beckham Jr. is old, Darius Slayton has a history of drops, and so forth. Cleveland cut fourth-year receiver Cedric Tillman on Thursday, and we’ve previously suggested he’d be a perfect fit for the Giants.
It’d certainly be something if Nabers, Likely, and Ricard all made the Pro Bowl. At least the Giants won’t need to worry about them getting hurt in a meaningless flag football game, as the NFL confirmed this week the Pro Bowl Games are mercifully over. Who says Roger Goodell doesn’t listen to his constituents?
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