New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers is set to make his return to the field this Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles after missing the last two games due to a concussion suffered in Week 5. The injury, which Nabers described as “scary,” occurred when his face hit the turf hard while attempting to catch a pass from quarterback Daniel Jones.
Speaking to reporters for the first time since the incident, Nabers revealed that he couldn’t remember the end of the play and was later informed by video evidence that he had been unconscious. “It was scary when I couldn’t remember what happened,” Nabers admitted. “Last thing I remember was [Jones] throwing me the ball. That was it.”
Road to Recovery
Following the concussion, Nabers experienced a range of symptoms, including headaches and throbbing in his head. The seventh overall pick in this year’s draft was closely monitored by the Giants’ medical staff and spent two weeks in the concussion protocol before being cleared to return to practice on Thursday.
During his recovery, Nabers faced criticism on social media for attending a Travis Scott concert with teammate Isaiah Simmons while still in the protocol. The rookie receiver informed the Giants before attending the event but declined to discuss the team’s specific reaction, stating, “I’m going to always be myself. I mean, that’s the life that I chose to live. It’s what comes with the job. But at the end of the day, I still got my own life.”
Maintaining a Personal Life
Nabers acknowledged the challenges of being in the spotlight while playing in New York, with everyone seeming to have an opinion on his actions. He tries not to be affected by the outside noise but admitted that it’s difficult to avoid the commentary entirely, with friends and family often sending him reactions.
“If they researched about what caused a concussion, what makes it worse, and on the internet if they say it’s the lights, hearing [loud noises], then that’s on them. I didn’t face anything with the lights. They asked me if I had problem with lights, I told them no. Having problems with the sound, I told them no.”
– Malik Nabers on attending a concert while in concussion protocol
Eager to Return
Despite the challenges faced during his recovery, Nabers remained focused on getting healthy and returning to the field. “My health is really the most important thing. So I really wasn’t frustrated. It was just getting back out there when I feel right,” he explained.
Now cleared from the concussion protocol, Nabers is expected to play a significant role in the Giants’ offense against their division rivals, the Eagles. His return, along with that of running back Devin Singletary, should provide a boost to a unit that has struggled in recent weeks, scoring only one touchdown in their 17-7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday night.
A Lesson Learned
As Nabers prepares for his comeback, he carries with him a newfound appreciation for the seriousness of concussions and the importance of prioritizing his health. The “scary” experience has served as a valuable lesson for the young receiver as he navigates the challenges of being a high-profile rookie in the NFL.
With the Giants looking to bounce back from a disappointing loss and maintain their position in the competitive NFC East, Nabers’ return couldn’t have come at a better time. As he takes the field on Sunday, the rookie will undoubtedly be more aware of the risks associated with the game but also more determined than ever to make his mark in the league.
