New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers didn’t hold back when asked about his performance and the team’s struggles following their Week 7 loss to divisional rival, the Philadelphia Eagles. After being sidelined for weeks due to a concussion, Nabers returned to the field at MetLife Stadium, but his impact was limited as the Giants fell to 2-5 on the season with a 28-3 defeat.
Nabers, who had four receptions for 41 yards in the first half, was effectively shut down in the second half, unable to add to his stat line. When asked about the lack of production in the final two quarters, Nabers appeared to take a subtle jab at his quarterback, Daniel Jones.
“Watch the target tape. That was it. I was open,” Nabers said during a postgame interview, seemingly implying that Jones missed opportunities to connect with him.
Jones, who was awarded a four-year, $160 million contract with $82 million guaranteed in 2023, has been under increasing scrutiny this season as the Giants continue to flounder. His performance in recent weeks has drawn criticism from both fans and analysts alike, particularly after last week’s 17-7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, in which Jones failed to throw a single touchdown.
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Sunday’s game against the Eagles didn’t help Jones’ case. The quarterback faced relentless pressure all day, operating behind an offensive line missing its starting left tackle, Andrew Thomas. Jones and backup quarterback Drew Lock, who came in for Jones in the fourth quarter, were sacked a combined eight times. The constant pressure disrupted the Giants’ offense, leaving them unable to mount any kind of consistent attack.
Nabers, frustrated with the team’s inability to score, acknowledged the tough situation but also pointed to the need for better execution. “It was very difficult out there. We gotta do a better job of just making plays, protecting the quarterback, and trying to do our best to score points,” Nabers said. “Our defense was doing a hell of a job, playing a good game. But it’s hard when you’re going 3-and-out. When they get back on the field, they’re tired.”
Nabers stressed the importance of keeping drives alive to give the defense some much-needed rest. “We gotta give our defense some time to get some breathers, so when they get back out there, they’re still playing at a high level,” he added.
Sunday marked Nabers’ first appearance since September 26, when he suffered a concussion during a game against the Dallas Cowboys. Reflecting on the injury, Nabers admitted how concerning it was to experience memory loss. “It was scary when I couldn’t remember what happened,” he told ESPN. “I can’t remember the last play I was in, so yeah, it was kind of scary. Last thing I remember was [Jones] throwing me the ball. That was it.”
Nabers shared that he had experienced headaches and throbbing after the collision, but didn’t elaborate on any other symptoms. It’s believed to be his first known concussion, and his return to the field had been highly anticipated.
As the Giants’ season continues to spiral, tensions are rising both on and off the field. Jones, once seen as the franchise quarterback, is facing mounting pressure to turn things around, while Nabers and the rest of the offense are clearly growing frustrated with the lack of production.
With the team now at 2-5, the outlook for the remainder of the season is looking bleak unless drastic improvements are made.
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