Rookie won’t let variety of injuries keep him off the field
Don’t try telling New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers that with the team at a hopeless 2-12 he should protect his battered body by shutting it down for the team’s final three games.
Nabers doesn’t want to hear it.
First of all, it has been clear throughout a season that has seen Nabers play through groin and other injuries, only being sidelined by a concussion, that the young man loves to play. He isn’t going to let injuries or the poor performance of the team stop him.
Secondly, there are franchise receiving records within his reach. Nabers isn’t afraid to admit he wants them.
“If I can put my name in the record books, I’m going to do it,” he said on Wednesday.
- Nabers has 90 catches for 901 yards and four touchdowns this season. He and Odell Beckham – two LSU products and Giants first-round draft choices – are the only players in league history with 90+ receptions, 900+ receiving yards and 4+ touchdowns in their first 12 career games.
- With three games remaining, Nabers is on track to join the select group of rookies to reach 100 receptions: Arizona’s Anquon Boldin (101 in 2003). Miami’s Jaylen Waddle (104 in 2021) and the Rams’ Puka Nauca (rookie record 105 in 2023). Las Vegas Raiders rookie tight end Brock Bowers, also with 90 receptions, could hit that mark as well.
- Nabers and Bowers need 16 receptions to surpass Nakua’s rookie mark.
- With two catches this week vs. the Atlanta Falcons, Nabers will become the Giants’ rookie record-holder, surpassing the mark of 91 receptions set by Beckham in 2014 and tied by Saquon Barkley four years later.
- Nabers needs 99 yards to join Beckham (1,305) as the only rookies in Giants history with 1,000 receiving yards.
- Beckham is the only rookie in NFL history to have four games with at least 10 receptions. Nabers has three such games.
Nabers isn’t going to let going, knee and foot issues stop him from playing, and pursuing those milestones.
“I’m keeping track of it,” Nabers said, adding that “all of them” would mean something to him.
Valentine’s View
It’s easy to think Nabers is being selfish, concerning himself with records. I can’t see it that way. He loves the game. He loves to play. He wants to be as productive as possible. I give Nabers, and Brian Burns, on the other side of the ball all the credit in the world for continuing to do as much as they can when neither is anywhere near 100% physically.
To me, that’s a winning attitude.
