New York Giants standout rookie Malik Nabers cleared concussion protocol and is set to play Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles with no game designation status on Friday’s injury report.
“Ready to go,” Nabers said Friday.
The receiver has missed two games with a concussion he suffered at the end of the team’s Week 4 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 26. While attempting to bring in a catch on the sidelines, Nabers fell face forward to the ground.
“From the video that I saw, yes,” Nabers said when asked if he lost consciousness on the play. “I don’t remember. Last thing I remember was DJ throwing me the ball.”
A groin injury was also added to the injury report on Thursday and Friday. Nabers was limited Friday. Coach Brian Daboll said it tightened up on the rookie. Nabers said he’s been playing through it since college and that he’s not worried about it.
Nabers is set to resume a historic start to his rookie campaign against the Eagles. He already has 35 receptions for 386 yards in his first four games this season.
He can join Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua (46 receptions) as the only players with at least 40 receptions in their first five career games in league history. In more NFL history, Nabers could also move into the top five for the most receiving yards in his first five career games.
With Nabers on the field this season, Giants quarterback Daniel Jones has completed 17 of 38 downfield pass attempts (44.7 percent), recording two touchdowns and one interception, per NFL Pro. When the rookie is off the field, Jones has completed only 6 of 16 such attempts (37.5 percent), including one touchdown and two interceptions.
New York has relied on Darius Slayton and Wan’Dale Robinson in Nabers’ absence. Slayton has 24 receptions for 301 yards and one touchdown, while Robinson has racked up 37 receptions for 280 yards and two touchdowns.
Linebacker Brian Burns (groin) and defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence (hip) missed Wednesday and Thursday practices. But both said they expected to play Sunday, were at practice Friday and listed as questionable on the injury report. Safety Dane Belton was also listed as questionable with an illness.
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(Photo: Sarah Stier / Getty Images)
