Rookie phenom Malik Nabers was in the midst of another huge game in Week 4 but landed hard attempting to make a sideline catch with 3:30 remaining in the fourth quarter. Nabers was attempting to extend a potential game-winning drive with the New York Giants trailing 20-15 but failed to make the catch on 4th-and-6. Nabers was surrounded by Giants medical personnel on the sideline and went into the locker room.
What Happened to Malik Nabers?
At the time of his injury, Nabers had 12 receptions for 115 yards. The rookie was up to 35 receptions for 386 yards at the time of his injury, both easily the most on the team. The nature and severity of Nabers’ injury was not immediately clear, though it was later confirmed to be a concussion, ruling him out for the game.
Nabers ko’d himself here pic.twitter.com/x1CZPaxVGf
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) September 27, 2024
Later that night, Nabers posted on his Instagram story that he was “all good” and added, “Thanks for all the prayers!!!” He will likely still need to progress through the concussion protocol ahead of the Giants’ Week 5 game on the road against the Seattle Seahawks.
Having 10 days before their next game gives Nabers a chance of playing. A concussion typically rules a player out for around a week. However, every concussion is unique and personal, perhaps more so than any other injury. Nabers will need to return to practice (or at least get in a simulated practice) ahead of Week 5 if he is to be able to play against the Seahawks.
Right now, fantasy managers should consider Nabers 50-50 for that contest, but the added time will help. If Nabers cannot make it back for Week 5, he should have a reasonably good chance of being available when the Giants host the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday Night Football in Week 6.
Fantasy Impact of Nabers’ Injury
Nabers was already an elite WR1 in fantasy circles. Entering Week 4, he accounted for 37.8% of his team’s targets, the highest of any player in the NFL. He also led all wide receivers in fantasy points per game with 22.8.
Entering the game, New York did not have a startable wideout apart from Nabers, but Wan’Dale Robinson emerged as the clear second option in the passing game with 11 receptions for 71 yards. Robinson was the only player to receive more than five targets and was already second on the team in targets, receptions, and receiving yards entering this game.
Robinson will, therefore, be a startable option in PPR leagues, given that Daniel Jones has funneled targets to his top two pass catchers all season. However, he’s averaging just 7.5 yards per reception and has only three TDs in 25 career games, making him a low-ceiling option overall.
Darius Slayton also emerges as a potential waiver wire option in deeper leagues, as he’ll likely become an every-down player, so long as Nabers is out. Slayton had three receptions for a season-high 56 yards on Thursday and was the Giants’ leading receiver last season with 770 yards, so he at least has pre-existing chemistry with Jones.
Given that Nabers went down so late in the game, we do not have a clear picture of what the roles for Robinson and Slayton would be in a full-game setting. There is a chance we may see more of second-year player Jalin Hyatt, but the liklihood is that the Giants lean on their experienced options in Robinson and Slayton.
If Slayton can get into that 8-10 target range, he could creep into fantasy relevance. The problem is that Nabers will likely only be out a week, or two, so just as we figure out whow these roles will play out without him, he will potentially be back in the lineup
Has Nabers had the Best Start to a Career by a Wide Receiver?
Including Thursday, Nabers has recorded at least 10 receptions and 100 receiving yards in half of his games played. Only another former Giants receiver has had more in a rookie season in NFL history.
Giants WR Malik Nabers is the 6th rookie with multiple games of 10 Rec & 100 Rec yards. He's played 4 games.
The only player with more? Former Giant Odell Beckham Jr. (4 in 2014) pic.twitter.com/HFj4Q6tkvr
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) September 27, 2024
Nabers is in some more historic company when accounting for his season stat line:
- With 35 receptions, Nabers has the second-most receptions through four career games in NFL history. He trails only Puka Nacua, who had 39 last season.
- With 386 receiving yards, Nabers has the fifth-most receiving yards through four career games in NFL history.
Nabers has also carried his team’s offense as much as any receiver in the league. After Thursday, he is accounting for 38.2% of the Giants’ targets and 43.8% of their receiving yards this season. Both those are the highest share for any player in the NFL.
Daniel Jones has generally struggled when targeting non-Nabers teammates, an ominous sign if his top wideout is to miss any time.
Jones’ numbers so far this season:
- Targeting Nabers: 7.4 yards per attempt, three TDs, zero INTs, 0.49 EPA per dropback
- Targeting all others: 5.4 yards per attempt, one TD, three INTs, -0.24 EPA per dropback
An already struggling Giants team doesn’t have many strengths to lean on. With Nabers potentially missing time, their biggest strength could be off the table entirely.
