Malik Nabers was back on the Giants’ injury report Wednesday after the wide receiver’s best outing of the season, and this time the issue was a sore knee.
Nabers, who went for six catches and 112 yards against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, did not practice in East Rutherford. The team listed him with a knee injury, though Nabers said after the workout that he practiced “as much as I could.” He spent time working with trainers off to the side.
When asked to identify the problem more specifically, Nabers kept it simple: “sore. Sore.”
As for whether that could put his status for Sunday in doubt, he left it open-ended. “We’ll see how the next day goes,” Nabers said.
“Through the week I’m usually sore. This was a little bit more sore, but I always continue to fight through it.”
The Giants had several other names on the no-practice list as well. Defensive lineman Chauncey Golston is dealing with a neck injury, and head coach John Harbaugh said Golston is getting a second opinion while the injury could be long-term. Safety Jason Pinnock remains in concussion protocol, offensive tackle Andrew Thomas was held out again as the team continues to limit him during the week because of a groin issue, and running back Najee Harris missed practice for personal reasons.
The Giants’ report also listed tight end Isaiah Likely, tight end Chris Manhertz and running back Cam Skattebo as limited participants. Cornerback Deonte Banks and center Bryan Hudson were full participants.
Washington, meanwhile, had a long injury list of its own, but the big development was quarterback Jayden Daniels taking part fully in practice. The Commanders also had several players sit out, including safety Percy Butler, wide receiver Stefon Diggs, quarterback Marcus Mariota, wide receiver Terry McLaurin, defensive end Charles Omenihu and safety Tyler Owens.
Among Washington’s limited group were Nick Allegretti, Trey Amos, Sam Cosmi, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Frankie Luvu, Jeremy McNichols, Chig Okonkwo, Ben Sinnott, Sonny Styles, Rachaad White and Deatrich Wise Jr.
Full participants for the Commanders included Treylon Burks, Nick Cross, Daniels, Javon Kinlaw, Fabian Moreau and Jeremy Reaves.
In Other News...
Giants' 3-1 Start Is Already Fueling A Brutal Debate
A 3-1 start usually buys a team some patience, but it can also invite a hard look under the hood when the wins do not feel as sturdy as the record. That is the position the Giants find themselves in now, with the early schedule creating just enough optimism to keep the conversation alive while leaving plenty of questions about how sustainable this start really is.
Aaron Schatzs DVOA work has only sharpened that debate, because the Giants are being graded far more harshly than the standings might suggest. ESPNs Football Power Index is even colder, putting their playoff odds at just 4%, which is the kind of number that turns a promising opening month into a referendum on what this team actually is. [Read more 🡒]
Giants May Be Regretting Their Kayvon Thibodeaux Gamble
Kayvon Thibodeauxs fifth NFL season has opened with more frustration than production, and that is not a great look for a Giants pass rush already dealing with the loss of Brian Burns to injury. Through four games, Thibodeaux has yet to register a sack, and his 0% pass-rush win rate only adds to the concern around a player the Giants have counted on to be a centerpiece up front.
The bigger question now is what the front office sees in him moving forward, especially with free agency approaching. New York had a chance to move on from Thibodeaux in April, but held onto him, betting there would be stronger value waiting elsewhere. For a team trying to keep its defense afloat, the decision is starting to look harder to defend by the week. [Read more 🡒]
Jayden Daniels Brings A Risk Washington Cant Ignore Against Giants
Jayden Daniels is expected back for Washington after a dislocated left elbow sidelined him a few weeks ago, and his return puts an immediate spotlight on how the Commanders plan to handle him. He opted to avoid surgery, and the hope in Washington is simple enough: keep him upright long enough for the offense to stabilize and build on what the team has shown recently.
Still, there is real unease around how much punishment Daniels can absorb while doing it. An unnamed executive raised durability concerns and pointed to the need for a more careful offensive approach, with more emphasis on the run game, extra protection and a tighter plan for getting Daniels through games. Against the Giants, that tension will hang over every snap he takes. [Read more 🡒]
