The New York Giants entered their second day of joint practices with the New York Jets with a few more healthy camp bodies, as head coach Brian Daboll relayed the positive injury news.
“WR Jalin Hyatt, G Evan Neal and CB Dru Phillips will return to practice, per Brian Daboll,” ESPN NYG beat reporter Jordan Raanan relayed on the morning of August 13. Adding: “Still no Malik Nabers.”
Cornerback Deonte Banks, right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor and tight end Chris Manhertz did not practice on Wednesday either. Although Eluemunor’s absence was not due to an injury as his wife just gave birth to their second child overnight.
Still, getting back Hyatt, Neal and Phillips is good news for the Giants despite Nabers’ mysterious ongoing absence. Phillips’ preseason injury was especially concerning, as it was initially described as “slightly alarming” when it was revealed.
So, it’s good to see the starting nickel CB back on the field.
Similarly, if Hyatt and Neal are going to reverse the bust draft pick narrative, they’ll need to see some preseason reps. To this point, they have not, so this weekend could be very crucial in getting both recent key prospects back in the mix.
On Hyatt, The Athletic’s Dan Duggan wrote the following on August 12, before his return to practice.
“Hyatt’s absence is curious,” the beat reporter noted. “He missed four practices early in camp with lower body ‘tightness,’ but had been a full participant in six straight practices before being a surprise inactive for the preseason opener. Daboll didn’t reveal the nature of Hyatt’s injury or when he got hurt.”
Lack of Malik Nabers Injury News Is Beginning to Grow More & More Worrisome for Giants
GettyNew York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers has been missing at training camp with an unknown injury.
Nabers’ absence is starting to gain attention, especially since Daboll keeps all Giants injury news close to the vest.
“Coach Brian Daboll doesn’t provide details on injuries, so it’s hard to know the exact status of those players. But Nabers’ continued absence is notable, as he was shut down during last Wednesday’s practice and hasn’t participated since,” Duggan commented during the same August 12 article.
Continuing: “Nabers said after Wednesday’s practice that his limited workload was ‘part of the plan.’ The star wide receiver has been managing a lingering toe injury all offseason.”
Needless to say, this has gone far beyond “load management,” as the Giants star has now missed several days of activity in a row.
There’s no known reason as to why Nabers is not on the field, as Duggan noted, but the fact that he’s not is worrisome enough.
Giants Start Rookie Marcus Mbow at Right Tackle With Jermaine Eluemunor Missing at Camp
Getting the start at right tackle in place of Eluemunor on Wednesday was rookie offensive lineman Marcus Mbow, who has become a fan favorite to earn a promotion.
It was a big opportunity for the promising fifth-round pick out of Purdue, but Mbow’s elevation to the first team didn’t come without growing pains.
“Marcus Mbow beat in [one-on-one drill] by [Jets edge rusher] Will McDonald,” SNY’s Connor Hughes relayed on August 13. “McDonald took a nice inside move.”
Aside from the former first-round talent getting the better of Mbow in one-on-ones, the Giants rookie wasn’t mentioned too much on Wednesday — and that’s typically a good thing for offensive linemen.
As for the other key OL draft pick, Neal, New York Post reporter Ryan Dunleavy noted that the former top 10 selection was getting some more reps at left guard on August 13. He was on the field with the second-team offense.
Neal has shown some versatility this summer, playing both guard positions, along with his prior knowledge of left and right tackle. Unfortunately, he hasn’t truly excelled enough at any of the four positions to warrant a starting role.
As of now, it feels more likely that Neal will be a super-sub reserve in 2025.
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