New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers enters Week 5 in the NFL’s concussion protocol after suffering a hard hit to the head during Thursday night’s 20-15 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Nabers, who has quickly emerged as quarterback Daniel Jones’ favorite target, took the blow late in the game, raising concerns about his workload and long-term health.
Nabers has been a revelation for the Giants, leading the league in targets with 51 through the first four weeks of the season. His 51 targets put him well ahead of Houston Texans receiver Nico Collins, who is second in the league with 42. Nabers’ prolific usage has fueled his remarkable production, but it has also raised concerns about whether the Giants are relying too heavily on their No. 6 overall draft pick.
Dan Duggan of The Athletic is among those questioning the Giants’ heavy use of the rookie, especially after the concussion he suffered against the Cowboys. Duggan believes the team must scale back Nabers’ workload if they want to keep him healthy throughout the season.
“Malik Nabers has been setting rookie records weekly due to his production and usage,” Duggan wrote. “Nabers’ 35 receptions are five more than any other player in the league, and his 38.2 percent target share is 7.1 percent higher than second place. The only concern with Nabers, who suffered a concussion late in the loss to the Cowboys, is that he’ll be overtaxed. The Giants need to limit the repeated big hits he took in the Dallas game.”
With Nabers accumulating 386 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 35 catches, the LSU standout has been the most productive player in the Giants’ offense. However, if the team wants to preserve his health, they may need to rethink their offensive strategy. Head coach Brian Daboll will have to consider how to adjust the game plan to reduce the wear and tear on the rookie without sacrificing the team’s offensive output.
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The Giants’ inability to establish a consistent running game against the Cowboys only exacerbated their dependence on Nabers. Daboll has expressed frustration with the lack of balance in the offense, which has struggled to replace the production of star running back Saquon Barkley, who left the team in free agency to join the Philadelphia Eagles.
Barkley’s departure left a significant void, and Nabers was brought in to fill the playmaker role. While he’s delivered, the Giants now face the challenge of ensuring Nabers doesn’t follow in Barkley’s footsteps by piling up injuries.
The Giants will need to find creative ways to distribute the offensive workload more evenly to avoid putting Nabers at further risk.
Whether that means getting more players involved in the passing game or finding a solution for their ineffective ground attack, protecting their budding star is now a priority for Daboll and his staff.
As Nabers navigates the concussion protocol, the Giants must confront the difficult task of balancing their immediate need for offensive production with the long-term health of their rising star. With his talent evident, the key for New York will be ensuring Nabers has a sustainable, injury-free career.
