Russell Wilson was full of enthusiasm following Saturday night’s 31-12 preseason victory over the Jets, speaking glowingly about how the offense has operated in training camp and in two preseason games.
“The good part is we don’t even have Malik Nabers out there yet,” Wilson said. “He’s had a great camp, so when he gets back out there too it will be really exciting for us.”
The question is this: When will Nabers get out there?
The answer: The Giants fully expect him to be ready to roll for the Sept. 7 season opener in Washington.
The Giants are being quite cautious with Nabers, knowing he is their one difference-maker on offense and their breakout star wide receiver.
Nabers has not played in the first two preseason games and there are no plans to play him in the final preseason game, Thursday night against the Patriots.
This is not a concern. Nabers is fine, a source said, and expected to handle his usual full load in the season opener.
He has missed time this summer with a lingering toe issue, went down hard on his shoulder in one practice and has more recently sat out with back tightness.
None of these physical setbacks are alarming to the Giants — or to Nabers.
He has missed time this summer with a lingering toe issue, went down hard on his shoulder in one practice and has more recently sat out with back tightness.
None of these physical setbacks are alarming to the Giants — or to Nabers.
“Yeah, I’m doing fine,’’ Nabers said earlier in camp. “You know, the coaches and the training staff have a process of what they want me to do to be healthy for when we get ready to play, so I just got to do my job and follow the plan that they put ahead of me.’’
The Giants will hold what coach Brian Daboll described as “a good competitive padded practice’’ on Tuesday.
Does Andrew Thomas make it onto the field?
Thomas, the starting left tackle and the team’s most indispensable offensive lineman, remains on the physically unable to perform list following foot surgery to repair a Lisfranc fracture.
Time is running short for Thomas, as the season opener is three weeks away and it is clear he is not going to play in any of the three preseason games.
The closer it gets to the games counting, the less likely it is that Daboll will put his team in pads in practice.
Thomas once he is able to come off the PUP will need work to get into playing shape and there will not be many opportunities for him to get that work after this week.
“Getting better, so we’ll take it day by day and see where we’re at,’’ Daboll said on Sunday, parroting what he has said about Thomas all spring and summer. “Each day he gets a little bit better, so we’ll make that decision when we think it’s best for us and him.
“He’s on his rehab schedule and he’s working hard to get back as quickly as he can.”
Giants general manager Joe Schoen at the start of training camp said he expected Thomas would be available to play in Week 1.
Without Thomas, James Hudson III has worked at left tackle with the starting group.
Rookie Marcus Mbow, a fifth-round pick from Purdue, has primarily lined up at right tackle, but he has been given a look on the left side, and his performance has been impressive.
Rookie outside linebacker Abdul Carter in the second quarter got leveled on a chip block by TE Stone Smartt.
When Carter got back to his feet, he got leveled again by OT Chukwuma Okorafor.
“S–t just happens on the football field, but we got the win, so we’re good,’’ Carter said after the game.
That clip made the rounds on social media and Carter was not impressed or amused. He responded to the video on Sunday, posting on his X account “might be the only highlight of the Jets all season’’ and calling the block on him a “weak a– chip.’’
