EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Standout New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers left Sunday’s practice early with what the team believes to be a minor ankle sprain.
It’s not initially clear what happened to cause the injury, but during an 11-on-11 session, team trainers started examining Nabers’ left foot/ankle before removing his cleat. After some time, he limped off the field before receiving more attention from trainers on the sideline. He watched the rest of practice, occasionally sitting down or stretching out his foot with a band.
The #Giants initial belief is that rookie WR Malik Nabers has a minor ankle sprain. Obviously more testing to come after rookie finished practice early and limped off field. pic.twitter.com/53s6TW6RCo
— Charlotte Carroll (@charlottecrrll) August 11, 2024
Nabers, the team’s No. 6 pick, has been a camp standout, making impressive grabs and consistently getting open. He’s demonstrated throughout the summer, against both Giants defensive backs and Lions DBs, that he can be the focal point of an offense. While the severity of the injury isn’t fully known, if it’s worse than initially feared, it would have huge ramifications for the Giants offense this upcoming season given Nabers’ role so far this camp.
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The Nabers news wasn’t the only noteworthy Giants injury news of the day with plenty of updates coming out of the Meadowlands. Here are other major updates:
Dings and dents
- Backup quarterback Drew Lock will not practice for at least the next few days after suffering a hip injury in Thursday’s preseason opener, coach Brian Daboll said. The Giants don’t plan to add another quarterback to the roster, however. Lock did some light running at Sunday’s practice.
- Another QB update: The Giants plan to play starter Daniel Jones in Saturday’s preseason game at the Houston Texans. If Lock isn’t back, Tommy DeVito will be the primary backup. The team will also give tight end Tyree Jackson reps under center as a precaution. Jackson played QB at Buffalo.
- Staring center John Michael Schmitz returned to practice for the first time since July 28. The second-year player had been dealing with a shoulder injury and was eased back in Sunday with individual drills.
- Right tackle Evan Neal was taken off the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and returned to practice. Like Schmitz, he will be eased back into practice and he only participated in individual drills Sunday.
Evan Neal back in action today. GM Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll watching on for a bit pic.twitter.com/S3PyA3Ovxc
— Charlotte Carroll (@charlottecrrll) August 11, 2024
Neal underwent surgery to repair a fractured ankle on Jan. 2 after the injury was initially missed.
“It definitely kind of caught me (off guard), ” Neal said. “Really everybody, because it was something that initially kind of wasn’t seen on the initial scan. But I just knew it was going to be another thing that I was going to have to overcome. That was something that was out of my control. So, I was just going to have to deal with it the best way that I knew how at the time.”
Neal said he bears “no ill (will) whatsoever” toward the Giants.
“The Giants’ training staff has done everything that they can to help me get back healthy,” Neal said. “I mean, things like that happen. It’s nobody’s fault.”
Neal tried to practice in the spring, but his ankle wasn’t ready. The Giants held him out of those sessions as well as the beginning of training camp.
“I was having more days where I wasn’t feeling well than days when it was feeling good,” Neal said of the spring practices. “It’s kind of tricky, especially with it being a bone. You can’t really do anything to it other than just let it heal. … (But) I’ve been feeling, lately, just consistent enough to be able to go back out there and contribute to the team. So, that’s where I’m at.”
In Neal’s absence, the Giants switched Jermaine Eluemunor to right tackle despite Eluemunor working at left guard in the spring. The Giants also signed veteran guard Greg Van Roten who had been working at center in Schmitz’s absence. But Van Roten got right guard reps Sunday.
When asked about the idea of switching inside to guard, Neal said he’d embrace whatever role is asked of him.
Evan Neal came back from PUP today and there’s been a lot of changes on #giants OL including Jermaine Eluemenor coming in and taking reps at RT.
“Whatever role the team has for me, I’m going to embrace it. … I’m not owed anything. All I want is what I work for.” pic.twitter.com/zXhZE7mG2P
— Charlotte Carroll (@charlottecrrll) August 11, 2024
- Linebacker Dyontae Johnson (ankle) and safety Gervarrius Owens (knee) didn’t practice Sunday. Cornerback Cor’Dale Flott (quad) is out for the week as well, leaving Nick McCloud more reps at outside corner.
Required reading
- Keep calm and protect the play sheet: Takeaways from Brian Daboll’s 2024 debut as play caller
- Giants stock report: RB Eric Gray, QB Tommy DeVito stand out in preseason win vs. Lions
(Photo of Malik Nabers: Lucas Boland / USA Today)
Charlotte Carroll covers the New York Giants for The Athletic. She previously covered the University of Connecticut basketball and the WNBA's Connecticut Sun for The Athletic and wrote for Sports Illustrated. She interned at The Denver Post and Field & Stream magazine. Follow Charlotte on Twitter @charlottecrrll
