Malik Nabers wants the ball more, but will Giants WR play on Sunday?

East Rutherford - Malik Nabers expressed his desire for more ball-handling opportunities and demonstrated his impact in last Sunday's 36-24 win against the Arizona Cardinals during his statements. No one, from the head coach John Harbaugh to lower-level personnel, questions Nabers' influence on the field. The primary question surrounding the upcoming Sunday's match against the Washington Commanders in Maryland is his health.

On Wednesday, Nabers did not practice, stating he had a slight discomfort due to his best performance since Week 2 last year, following a serious knee injury that required ACL surgery and ended his second season. His 23-year-old status did not diminish his eagerness to prove himself. Despite his outstanding performance, Nabers was not content with his contribution.

He acknowledged that the Giants might have achieved even greater success if they had focused more on him; "I think everybody's saying it's a breakout because I scored and got 100 yards," Nabers declared. "I could have done that in Game 1 [against the Cowboys], but I just slipped a couple times, and the ball just didn't come my way, or we just didn't complete on some routes."

Nabers understands his position on the Giants team and the expectations his and others have for him. He set a franchise record for receptions in a season (109) two years ago and broke the NFL record for most catches by a rookie wide receiver with 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games. In Week 1 against the Cowboys, Nabers broke away from the Giants' malaise and locker room frustration, setting the tone for further achievements, at least that's what the Giants believed.

However, Jaxson Dart's knee injury sidelined him for the season, and Winston took over in a challenging situation two games ago. As Nabers admitted last month, his soul yearned to be unleashed, and it was easy to appreciate his journey in recovery after his severe knee injury. When he's at his best, Nabers has the potential to be a league-leading playmaker and a locker room motivator, recognizing the significance of his talent to the organization on and off the field.

Nabers vowed that his soul had returned after enduring dark times throughout his lengthy rehabilitation for repairing ACL and meniscus tears in his right knee. Yet, practices like Wednesday's, where he did not participate, leave some uneasiness about his availability. We will need to wait and see if Nabers plays on Thursday, which would clarify his status for Sunday.