ESPN's Graziano: Nabers 'Good to Go' for Giants' Season Opener
The optimistic read follows the Giants' release of Darius Slayton, which ESPN's Jordan Raanan says signals confidence in Nabers' health.
Malik Nabers is trending toward playing in the Giants' season opener Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys, according to ESPN's Dan Graziano. Speaking on "Get Up" Tuesday, Graziano said Nabers "has been a very pleasant surprise for the Giants coaching staff since they got back to training camp" and "passed every test." "It sounds like he's going to be good to go for Sunday night, which is massive for the Giants," Graziano said.
Nabers has not been officially ruled in. He is still working back from a torn ACL and meniscus suffered in Week 4 of last season, and coach John Harbaugh said Sept. 1 the team has "got to plan for every outcome" — full participation, no participation, or something in between. The Giants have not yet issued their first Week 1 injury report, due later this week.
Graziano's comments came a day after the Giants released longtime receiver Darius Slayton. ESPN's Jordan Raanan wrote that the move "bodes well for the prospects of Malik Nabers playing Week 1," reasoning the Giants would be unlikely to thin their receiver depth if they had real doubts about Nabers' availability.
With Slayton gone, the Giants carry four wide receivers on the active roster: Nabers, Darnell Mooney, Odell Beckham Jr. and rookie Malachi Fields. Braxton Berrios, Jalin Hyatt, Dalen Cambre and Charlie Jones are on the practice squad, with Berrios considered the most likely elevation for game day.
Nabers caught 271 yards and two touchdowns in four games last season before the injury, including a nine-catch, 167-yard, two-touchdown performance against Dallas — his best of three career games against the Cowboys.