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Giants' Nabers Uncertain for Season Opener Against Cowboys
Confirmed
In Short: Malik Nabers, recovering from a torn ACL, remains uncertain about playing in the New York Giants' season opener against the Dallas Cowboys.
Malik Nabers, the New York Giants' wide receiver recovering from a torn ACL, remains uncertain about playing in the team's season opener against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night. According to reports, Nabers said, 'I've been wanting to play for so long now, but at the end of the day, I can't put my career at risk.' While he participated fully in the first two practices of the week, Nabers has not provided a timeline for his decision and has emphasized that it is ultimately his call.
Despite being a full participant in practice, Nabers expressed concerns about rushing back into action. 'I wouldn’t want anyone to tell me I’m going to be on a pitch count, because at the end of the day, it’s my career and it’s my body,' he said. The Giants' medical team has cleared him, but Nabers is taking a cautious approach, stating, 'I feel pretty good. Well, I feel real good, to be honest.
Adding to the uncertainty, Nabers has not decided whether he will play in the game, even if he participates in all three practices this week. 'I feel pretty good. Well, I feel real good, to be honest,' he told reporters on Monday. 'I haven’t decided yet whether I plan to play in Sunday night’s game.' The Giants' head coach, John Harbaugh, and the team believe Nabers is ready, but they do not have control over his decision.
Ultimately, Nabers said, 'I’ll let God tell me' what the right answer is. While he doesn’t feel any pressure from the Giants to play, the team's belief in his readiness contrasts with his own cautious approach. 'I haven’t decided yet whether I plan to play in Sunday night’s game,' he added, highlighting the personal nature of his decision.
What's confirmed
- "I've been wanting to play for so long now, but at the end of the day, I can't put my career at risk," Nabers said.
What's still developing
- Nabers also previously said he would prefer not to play if it meant he would face a snap limit.
- Rushing back into action and suffering a setback could be much more detrimental to both Nabers and the Giants than missing one game at the beginning of the year.
- Malik Nabers seemingly did everything the Giants wanted him to do during the preseason.
- Nabers said part of the issue is that although he’s confident in practice, he knows game speed is much different.
- The Giants’ top receiver was adamant Thursday that playing in the game is his call alone, regardless of the Giants clearing him medically already.