Giants rookie Malik Nabers shines at July 2025 training camp despite injury. See how he and Brian Daboll are preparing the revamped team for the 2024 season.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Just two days into training camp, the Giants are already experiencing the full Malik Nabers roller coaster. The rookie phenom spent Thursday making highlight-reel touchdown grabs and looking every bit the part of a superstar, all while managing a nagging toe injury. It's a microcosm of the current Giants' vibe: immense talent and sky-high potential, tempered by the cautious reality of keeping key players on the field.
Even with a lingering toe injury, rookie Malik Nabers is already being described as a consensus top ten receiver in the league.
Any concerns about Malik Nabers' lingering toe issue were quickly put to rest on the practice field Thursday. The first-round pick was a force in one-on-one drills, consistently creating separation and hauling in touchdowns that sent a buzz through the facility. While the coaching staff, led by Brian Daboll, is wisely managing his reps to ensure he's fresh for the season, the early returns are electric. Nabers himself seems unfazed, even taking time after practice to praise the front office's busy offseason, highlighting the improved roster and competitive fire. It's clear he's not just the focal point of the offense; he's rapidly becoming the new face of the franchise.
While Nabers stole the show offensively, the story of this offseason has been the complete reconstruction of the defense. The investment was on full display Thursday, with high-priced free agents S Jevon Holland and CB Paulson Adebo locking down the secondary. The new-look defensive front, featuring No. 3 overall pick Abdul Carter and third-rounder Darius Alexander, is already showing flashes alongside veterans Roy Robertson-Harris and Chauncey Golston. Anchoring it all is the duo of Brian Burns and Dexter Lawrence. The team showed its appreciation for its defensive cornerstone, rewarding Lawrence with $3 million in new incentives after his dominant 9-sack 2024 campaign. The message is clear: this defense is expected to be the team's strength.
The optimism surrounding the team is understandably cautious, with several key players starting camp on the sidelines. All-Pro LT Andrew Thomas remains on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list with a Lisfranc foot injury. GM Joe Schoen remains confident he'll be ready for Week 1, but his absence is a major storyline. He's joined on the PUP list by RB Eric Gray, while Nabers (toe), WR Jalin Hyatt (leg), and Dexter Lawrence (elbow) are all carrying questionable tags heading into the season. A healthy offensive line is paramount, a point Coach Daboll stressed in his morning press conference, especially with a new quarterback under center.
The biggest change on offense is, of course, at quarterback. Russell Wilson is now the man tasked with leading the G-Men. With every starter from the 2024 offense returning besides the QB, continuity should help ease his transition. Coach Daboll noted the importance of integrating Wilson and building chemistry with a hopefully healthy offensive line. Players have praised the energy the new additions have brought, and as camp continues, the development of the Wilson-to-Nabers connection will be the most-watched storyline on the offensive side of the ball.
It's only Day 2, but the battle lines for the 2025 season are already drawn. The Giants have the star power in Nabers and a fortified defense to compete, but it all hinges on health. Can they get Andrew Thomas back to anchor the line? Can they manage Nabers' workload to keep him explosive for 17 games? The talent is undeniable, but the journey through training camp will be a tightrope walk of managing expectations and injuries.
