Giants rookie Malik Nabers didn’t have a catch in his first preseason game against the Detroit Lions. In fact, he didn’t even have a target during his 12 offensive snaps. That, to be sure, is not the plan going forward for the sixth overall pick in the 2024 draft.
Want to bet on the NFL? See the best NYC Sports Betting sites Playing for the first time with quarterback Daniel Jones, Nabers was heavily involved in the offense during the Giants’ 28-10 loss to the Houston Texans and he looked every bit like the receiver who has been so impressive during spring workouts and training camp. He finished with four catches for 54 yards, n one more spectacular than his 21-yard reception on a high back shoulder throw by Jones with 41 seconds left in the first half. Cornerback Kris Boyd had tight coverage on the play and Nabers did an incredible job of dragging his right foot down inbounds.
“I kind of thought the ball was going to be over the shoulder so I kind of had to make a tough adjustment,” Nabers said. “I didn’t really see it early on. I saw it late.
It was kind of a late reaction and I had to spin my body and make the catch.” He made it look rather easy. That play eventually led to a Giants’ field goal that closed Houston’s lead to 14-10 at the end of the first half.
Nabers earlier had kept the same drive alive with a 16-yard catch on a third-and-10 play. In addition to his four catches, he also ran once for five yards on an end around. The performance came aft.