Oct 02, 2024
EAST RUTHERFORD — The Giants’ offense could look radically different on Sunday in Seattle. That’s because rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers is still in the “early stages” of the concussion protocol, head coach Brian Daboll announced Wednesday. Nabers was one of four players who didn’t practice, along with running back Devin Singletary (groin), cornerback Adoree’ Jackson (calf) and cornerback Dru Phillips (calf). Wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (heel) and linebacker Brian Burns (groin) were limited. Linebacker Matt Adams (quad) was a full participant. Nabers wasn’t even working with trainers off to the side during the media viewing portion of Wednesday’s practice, which wasn’t a good sign for his availability this weekend. “We’ll just take it day by day with him,” Daboll said. “You make sure that you have contingency plans. But (we are) hopeful. And if not, we’ll have a plan.” Nabers suffered the injury against the Cowboys last Thursday when he fell to the turf on his facemask after failing to secure a sideline catch on fourth down with 3:30 remaining in the game. The No. 6 overall draft pick from LSU had another monster game with 12 catches for 115 yards. His 35 total receptions are the most in the league, and he’s been targeted on 38.2 percent of the Giants’ passes — 7.1 percent more than any other NFL player. He also has three of the Giants’ four receiving touchdowns. With the Giants’ offense relying so heavily on Nabers, it’s hard to imagine them replacing his production if he can’t play against the Seahawks. “There’s no doubt he’s been a big part of our offense so far and someone who we’ve counted on in a lot of spots,” quarterback Daniel Jones said. “So it’ll change a little bit, but the guys we’ve got out there we have a lot of confidence in winning their matchups and getting open, and I know we’ll play well. We’re confident in whoever’s out there and we’re lucky to have a deep group of receivers and a lot of talented guys.” Darius Slayton and Robinson have played 80.97 percent and 63.81 percent of the Giants’ snaps on offense, respectively, and will continue to play big roles, but both have averaged fewer than 50 receiving yards per game this season. This could be the week that we see the reemergence of second-year receiver Jalin Hyatt, who played 51 percent of the snaps as a rookie but only 19 percent so far this year. The 2023 third-round pick has only three targets and no catches. Hyatt hasn’t earned the playing time that the Giants expected when they traded up to select him in the draft, but Nabers’ injury could necessitate his presence. It may be now or never for the speedy 6-foot wideout to reassert himself as a play-maker in New York, as ESPN reported two weeks ago that Hyatt told the Giants during a summer practice that if they weren’t going to use him, then they should trade him. “He’s a pro, he’s a mature guy,” Jones said. “You’ve seen it out at practice: He’s continued to show up and make a lot of plays. I know it’s frustrating for a guy not to get those opportunities on Sunday, but I thought he’s handled it well and I have a ton of confidence in him out there making plays, changing the game with his speed and ability to get behind the defense. I know he’ll be ready to go.” Daboll insists that Hyatt’s reduced role as the fourth receiver has had more to do with the Giants’ depth, namely Slayton’s superior performance as a reliable veteran. But Daboll confirmed Wednesday that Nabers’ absence would give Hyatt more reps in practice. Either way, the Giants’ offense clearly needs more explosive passing plays. Jones has 144 pass attempts yet only one completion of at least 30 yards, which is tied for 30th in the league. Hyatt didn’t have a touchdown last season but led the Giants with 16.2 yards per reception. Bryce Ford-Wheaton is the only other Giants wide receiver to play a snap on offense this season (one in Week 2 against the Commanders). The team has also generated little from its tight ends with Theo Johnson and Daniel Bellinger combining for only 57 yards in four games. Seattle’s defense has yielded the seventh-fewest yards per pass attempt (5.6), but the Seahawks were more less efficient in their 42-29 loss to the Lions on Monday night. Detroit’s Jared Goff became the first quarterback with at least 15 passing attempts to not have an incompletion (18-for-18) and averaged a whopping 16.2 yards per attempt. Still, Jones won’t overlook the challenge of Seattle’s defense in its raucous home stadium. He noted that Goff “made a lot of plays of nothing” and the Lions “did a good job on a couple of explosive catch-and-run and breaking tackles.” That’s something the Giants, at times, excel at with smaller, shiftier receivers like Robinson and Hyatt. “We’ll see what happens with Malik throughout the week,” Jones said, “but confident in all our guys.”
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