Giants Country

Ex-Giants RB Saquon Barkley Gives Shout Out to Malik Nabers

Nabers made history in the Giants' 21-15 win over Cleveland.

Patricia Traina

Sep 22, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) breaks up a pass intended for New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) during the second half at Huntington Bank Field.
Sep 22, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) breaks up a pass intended for New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) during the second half at Huntington Bank Field. / Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
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Running back Saquon Barkley might have moved on to greener pastures with the Philadelphia Eagles, but the one-time New York Giant still apparently keeps up with how his former team is doing.

Barkley, whose Eagles just barely squeaked out a 15-12 win against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, sent a congratulatory tweet of sorts the Giants way, or more specifically the way of Giants rookie receiver Malik Nabers, following their 21-15 win over the Cleveland Browns, 

“Ya gonna hate on it… but idc!!! He’s LIKE THAT!!” Barkley tweeted.

Nabers has been everything the Giants hoped he’d be and then some. He received double-digit targets for the second week in a row, catching eight of 12 balls for 78 yards and two touchdowns. 

His second touchdown catch made the former LSU star, who was 21 years and 56 days old on game day, the youngest wide receiver in NFL history to record two touchdown receptions in a game, surpassing Mike Evans of the Bucs, who was 21 years and 73 days old when he had two touchdown receptions on November 2, 2014.

Nabers, who went mostly against Browns cornerback Denzel Ward, also became the first player in league history to record 20+ receptions, 250+ receiving yards and three or more touchdown catches in his first three games, per NFL researcher Tony Holzman-Escareno.

“When you have a guy like that, it doesn’t really matter the matchup,” said head coach Brian Daboll. “Throw the ball up to him and trust he’s going to get it.”

Nabers did just that and his play is earning him recognition around the league.

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Patricia Traina
PATRICIA TRAINA

Patricia Traina has covered the New York Giants for 30+ seasons, and her work has appeared in multiple media outlets, including The Athletic, Forbes, Bleacher Report, and the Sports Illustrated media group. As a credentialed New York Giants press corps member, Patricia has also covered five Super Bowls (three featuring the Giants), the annual NFL draft, and the NFL Scouting Combine. She is the author of The Big 50: The Men and Moments that Made the New York Giants. In addition to her work with New York Giants On SI, Patricia hosts the Locked On Giants podcast. Patricia is also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America.

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