EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Though he avoided specifics, Brain Daboll clearly believes Malik Nabers escaped a significant injury when he turned his ankle in practice yesterday.
"I think he's okay, he's just a little sore today," Daboll said at his daily pre-practice news conference.
Nabers left the workout after suffering a non-contact injury. He removed his shoe and walked to the sideline where he was examined by the team's medical staff. Nabers did not practice today.
"Yeah, sore today, we'll back off him, take it day to day, but that's where we're at with him," Daboll said. In response to a follow-up question about an X-ray and MRI, Daboll said, "They're still doing evaluation on him, but he's a little sore today, so we'll back off him and then we'll just take it from there." Moments later, Daboll said, "I don't think it's fractured. … He just twisted up a little bit, wasn't on contact or anything like that."
The Giants' first-round draft choice this year, the dynamic Nabers has had a terrific camp and is expected to be one of the team's foremost offensive weapons this season. He played 12 snaps but was not targeted on Thursday vs. Detroit in the preseason opener.
Daboll did not rule out Nabers playing Saturday when the Giants face the Texans in Houston.
"I'd say if they deem him ready to go and he feels good, we'll continue to work him and get work," Daboll said. "Again, he's a rookie. So, if they say, 'Give him a few days,' we'll give him a few days. But whenever he's ready, then we'll just go and practice."
Quarterbacks Daniel Jones and the Giants' starters are expected to play against the Texans. Does Daboll want to see Jones and Nabers together in a game before the season begins?
"Look, if he's ready to play, then he'll play," Daboll said. "And if they say, 'We need to back off,' we need to back off. You'd like to see everybody be able to be out there and play, but you understand this is a contact sport. I think every team goes through it. And if the guys are ready to play, they'll play. If they're not, they won't."
View photos from Monday's training camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
RB Tyrone Tracy (29)
WR Allen Robinson II (5), CB Tre Hawkins III (37)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
WR Jalin Hyatt (13), CB David Long Jr. (20)
WR Jalin Hyatt (13)
WR Darius Slayton (86), CB Deonte Banks (3)
QB Tommy DeVito (15)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
CB Nick McCloud (44)
New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (17) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR John Jiles (0)
S Dane Belton (24)
TE Jack Stoll (89).
WR Miles Boykin (81)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
TE Lawrence Cager (83)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
CB Tre Hawkins III (37)
WR John Jiles (0)
K Graham Gano (9), P Jamie Gillan (6)
T Joshua Miles (77), G Jalen Mayfield (62)
WR Darius Slayton (86)
G Greg Van Roten (74)
G Jalen Mayfield (62)
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
QB Tommy DeVito (15)
T Jermaine Eluemunor (72), OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
G Greg Van Roten (74), G Jon Runyan Jr. (76)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
S Jason Pinnock (27)
G Aaron Stinnie (64), G Greg Van Roten (74)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
T Joshua Miles (77), G Jalen Mayfield (62)
WR Darius Slayton (86)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
G Greg Van Roten (74), G Jon Runyan Jr. (76)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
\New York Giants linebacker Brian Burns (0) and New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants running back Lorenzo Lingard (28), New York Giants linebacker Ovie Oghoufo (46) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants linebacker Brian Burns (0) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
\New York Giants linebacker Brian Burns (0) and New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
\New York Giants running back Eric Gray (20) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants linebacker Brian Burns (0) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger (82) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8), Jon Runyan (76) huddle during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants defensive tackle Timmy Horne (96) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants defensive line during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants linebacker Brian Burns (0), New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks (3) , New York Giants safety Dane Belton (24) New York Giants defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches (93) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants running back Eric Gray (20),New York Giants defensive tackle D.J. Davidson (98) and New York Giants defensive tackle Timmy Horne (96) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants linebacker Brian Burns (0) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8), New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (13) New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (17) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants players huddle during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
A New York Giants helmet during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants cornerback Breon Borders (26) )during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
BRIAN DABOLL and New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants safety Isaiah Simmons (19) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants cornerback Nick McCloud (44) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Eli Manning , Shaun O'Hara during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
TE Theo Johnson (47)
Brian Dabolll during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks (3) and inebacker Brian Burns (0) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
RB Devin Singletary (26)
New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (13) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (47) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
RB Tyrone Tracy (29)
New York Giants running back Devin Singletary (26) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
S/ILB Isaiah Simmons (19)
New York Giants linebacker Brian Burns (0)n and New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants
New York Giants linebacker Matthew Adams (49) and New York Giants wide receiver Gunner Olszewski (80) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants punter Jamie Gillan (6) and New York Giants kicker Graham Gano (9)during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
RB Eric Gray (20)
New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger (82), New York Giants cornerback Alex Johnson (25) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
BRIAN DABOLL during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
RB Devin Singletary (26)
TE Theo Johnson (47)
Shaun O'Hara , Eli Manning , BRIAN DABOLL , Chris Snee during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
G Aaron Stinnie (64)
New York Giants running back Lorenzo Lingard (28) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
TE Jack Stoll (89)
*Backup quarterback Drew Lock was again limited to running on the side because of the oblique injury he suffered late in the first quarter against the Lions. But Daboll reiterated the Giants have no plans to acquire another quarterback this week.
"We won't do that," Daboll said. "I think Drew's getting better, so we will see where he is for this game. He's going to do the same thing, run, but he's feeling better."
Lock started in the victory vs. Detroit and was relieved by Tommy DeVito when he was injured. He was hit by defensive lineman Nate Lynn on a play that was first ruled a fumble (recovered by wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins 33 yards down the field) but was changed to an incomplete pass after a Detroit challenge. Lock was hurt despite wearing a rib protector.
"There's about a four-inch gap there and he was perfect," Lock said. "He found where we're not padded up."
If Lock can't play in Houston, Daniel Jones and DeVito would split the quarterback duties, with tight end Tyree Jackson available in an emergency.
Lock said he is progressing toward a return.
"Getting better," he said. "Just a little hip stuff. Each day I've felt better waking up. Doing more and more out there on the field. Happy with where I'm at right now, just taking it day by day."
Lock threw yesterday and again today.
"Not like 60, 70-yard bombs, but we're slinging it around," he said.
Lock retains hope he will play against the Texans.
"Me and Dabs have talked," he said. "Not ruling out the possibility of playing. Again, go out there, throw, see how it feels. Keep doing that. Did it today. We're going to do it tomorrow. Do it the next day. Do it the next day. If the opportunity is there and we both feel comfortable with it."
Lock is "100 percent" confident he will be ready for the regular season opener vs. Minnesota on Sept. 8.
"There's no worry in that," Lock said. "How I felt yesterday, even how I felt today, there's no worry about that."
*Jackson, who played in two games for the Giants last season, on the possibility of playing quarterback: "Just trying to do whatever is asked of me and do it to the best of my ability.
I think we'll be alright, though."
Jackson threw for 6,999 yards and 49 touchdowns at the University of Buffalo from 2016-18. He was signed by the Bills as a rookie free agent in 2019 when Daboll was their offensive coordinator. Jackson was cut at the end of training camp and in the 2020 Covid season, worked out for a few teams as a tight end and announced he was changing positions. The Eagles signed Jackson in 2021 and he spent two seasons in Philly before joining the Giants' practice squad last Aug. 31.
Jackson is a big target at 6-7 and 259 pounds. And playing tight end gives him more chances to get on the field.
"Sometimes, there's three tight ends on the field," he said. "There's more opportunity for you to play at tight end and then with my size and athletic ability, I feel like I can contribute in different ways.
"I've loved the transition to tight end. I feel like it fits my body and what I do."
*In addition to Nabers and Lock, linebackers Carter Coughlin (quad) and Dyontae Johnson (ankle) and defensive backs cornerback Cor'Dale Flott (quad), Gervarrius Owens (leg), and Elijah Riley (concussion) did not practice.
*Rookie cornerback Dru Phillips has an injury in his "ankle area," according to Daboll. "He got a little sore yesterday at practice, so we're just backing off him a little bit to give him a day here."
*Tackle Evan Neal (ankle), who was activated yesterday off the active/physically unable perform list, and center John Michael Schmitz (shoulder) continue to do individual drills only. Daboll said it was a "long shot" that either would play in Houston.
Schmitz had missed most of the last two weeks.
"Today I was only easing back into it," he said. "I was only doing individual, so I'm looking to progress each and every day and get back in there. … . I feel good and looking to take the next couple steps."
*The Giants exchanged running backs, signing rookie free agent Lorenzo Lingard and releasing Jacob Saylors.
Lingard, 6-0 and 202 pounds, played in 52 games in six collegiate seasons with Miami (2), Florida (3) and Akron (1). He totaled 186 carries for 927 yards (5.0-yard avg.) and seven touchdowns. Lingard also caught 41 passes for 39 yards and two scores. His best season was in 2023 at Akron, where he ran for 641 yards and four touchdowns and added 28 receptions and scored twice.
The Giants Foundation 5K & Kids Run
Register today and run with Giants Legends in The Giants Foundation 5K and Kids Run, Presented by Quest®
