Giants season takes another devastating hit with Malik Nabers update

Will the Giants even have 53 players to play on Sunday?
New York Giants v Cleveland Browns
New York Giants v Cleveland Browns / Jason Miller/GettyImages
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It’s been a long and frustrating season for the New York Giants, and things just got a little worse. Rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, one of the few bright spots in this otherwise dismal campaign, suffered a hip flexor injury during Thursday’s practice.

The team announced that Nabers did not practice Friday, casting serious doubt on his availability for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints.

Head coach Brian Daboll confirmed that Nabers underwent an MRI, but no official decision on his status has been made yet. The first-round pick has already dealt with multiple injuries this year, including a concussion and a groin issue that have forced him to miss two games. Despite this, Nabers has remained the team’s most productive receiver, leading the Giants with 75 catches for 740 yards. Losing him now would be a devastating blow for an offense struggling to find consistency.

In addition to Nabers' injury, the Giants are facing a daunting list of injuries. Dexter Lawrence and Thoe Johnson were placed on injured reserve, effectively ending their seasons. This comes shortly after Azeez Ojulari suffered a potential season-ending injury the week before. It's been a challenging season for Big Blue in terms of health.

Malik Nabers injures his hip before Week 14 matchup vs. Saints

Malik Nabers has been the Giants’ lone consistent weapon on offense in 2024, but his latest injury puts even more pressure on an already depleted roster devoid of talent. With his status in doubt, the team will have to rely on Darius Slayton and Jalin Hyatt.

This injury couldn’t come at a worse time for Nabers, who was on pace to set multiple rookie receiving records. He’s currently averaging 7.5 catches per game, and with five games left, he had a realistic shot at breaking Puka Nacua’s rookie record of 105 receptions set just last season. Missing one more game could make that goal unattainable.

Adding to the challenge, the Giants are on their third quarterback of the season, with Drew Lock set to start after Tommy DeVito was benched due to an injured forearm. Without their leading receiver, Lock will face an uphill battle in moving the ball against the Saints.

The Giants’ season has been riddled with adversity, and Nabers’ injury feels like yet another nail in the coffin. Already struggling with chemistry and execution, the offense is now further handicapped without its most reliable playmaker. For Brian Daboll, whose job security has been a topic of conversation, it’s yet another hurdle to overcome.

The Giants have shown resilience before, but without Nabers, their chances of snapping their current skid look slim. As the injuries pile up, the team will need contributions from unexpected places to stay competitive. For now, all eyes will be on the final injury report as the Giants hope for good news about their budding star.

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