Giants Country

Malik Nabers Active vs. Colts Despite Toe Injury

Nabers made enough progress late in the week as he continues his quest for a pair of NFL rookie receiving milestones.

Patricia Traina

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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East Rutherford, N.J. - New York Giants receiver Malik Nabers, listed as questionable on the team’s injury report this week with a toe injury, is expected to play in the team’s Week 17 game against the Indianapolis Colts, the NFL Network reported, and which has since been confirmed.

Nabers did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday but was limited on Friday. He told reporters that he would be a game-day decision. Assuming he does indeed play, Nabers is likely to get a healthy dose of pass targets as he chases a pair of rookie receiving milestones.

Nabers is 69 yards shy of recording his first 1,000-yard season and the Giatns’ 26th 1,000-yard season in franchise history. If he can accomplish that, he will have done so despite missing three games this year. 

Nabers, who already owns the Giants reception record by a rookie (91), previously shared by receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and running back Saquon Barkley, is also chasing another milestone in his first NFL season: rookie reception leader league-wide. The record of 105 currently belongs to Puka Nacua of the Rams, who set the mark last season. 

Nabers needs nine more receptions to match that record, though he’s also competing with Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, who has 101 receptions, to be the sole holder of the record.

With Nabers active, the Giants' inactive players include center John Michael Schmitz (ankle), linebacker Micah McFadden (neck), and cornerback Greg Stroman, Jr (shoulder/shin), the three who were declared out on Friday.

Greg Van Roten is expected to get the start at center for Schmitz and Dyontae Johnson, who recently was activated off IR, should see a bit of work with McFadden sidelined.

Cornerback Dee Williams (toe), listed as questionable for this game, is among the Giants' inactive players. The Giants' remaining inactive players are defensive lineman Cory Durden and quarterback Tim Boyle (3rd quarterback).

The Colts, meanwhile, downgraded starting quarterback Anthony Richardson to out on Saturday. Joe Flacco will get the start as the Colts look to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Their inactive players are defensive tackle Adetomiwa Aberawore, defensive end Isaiah Land, tight end Will Mallory, quarterback Anthony Richardson, and guard Dalton Tucker.

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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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