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Will Malik Nabers play in Week 5? Latest on New York Giants star rookie WR

The New York Giants have struggled to a 1-3 start in the 2024 NFL season, especially on offense. Through four weeks of action, the Giants' offense ranks 29th in the NFL in scoring at just 15 points per game.

Rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers has been a bright spot on that side of the ball. He leads the league in receptions (35) entering Week 5 and is second in yards (386). Quarterback Daniel Jones has targeted him on 36% of his passes in 2024.

Nabers left the Giants' most recent loss - 20-15 to the Dallas Cowboys - with a concussion. Here's the latest on his status:

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Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) is helped off the field after he suffered a concussion against the Cowboys.
Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) is helped off the field after he suffered a concussion against the Cowboys.

Will Malik Nabers play in Week 5?

No. Head coach Brian Daboll said Nabers will not travel with the team for the Giants' road game against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 5.

"We won't travel him," Daboll said Friday. "He'll be inside today. He is making progress, but we're going to do everything we can do to get him as healthy and right as we can."

It's not surprising that Nabers will be out at least a week with a concussion. Fellow NFC East wide receiver DeVonta Smith left the Eagles' Week 3 win over the Saints with a concussion and did not play in Week 4.

"You take those concussions very seriously," Daboll said. "He's made progress, but not to the point where he can go out there and play. But his safety, his well-being is first and foremost."

Nabers did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday. After the Week 5 game against Seattle, the Giants return home to play Cincinnati in Week 6 and Philadelphia in Week 7.

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Malik Nabers injury history

This is the first time Nabers will miss a football game due to injury since his freshman season at LSU. He injured his shoulder and missed the first two games of the 2021 season for the Tigers. Since then, he's never missed a game with injury.

"He's very competitive," Daboll said. "Obviously, he wants to be out there, but he's active in the meetings. We watch 1-on-1s as a group with the quarterbacks and all the skill guys, it's a good teaching lesson, but it's good camaraderie in there."

New York Giants injuries

Nabers is not the only starter to miss multiple practices with injury. Running back Devin Singletary was out on Wednesday and Thursday with a groin injury. Daboll said he will practice in some capacity Friday, opening the door for him to play in Week 5 against Seattle.

Cornerbacks Adoree' Jackson and Dru Phillips, linebacker Brian Burns, and wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson were all limited in practice on Thursday.

New York Giants wide receiver depth chart

With Nabers out, the next-leading receiver for the Giants this season is Robinson. His 26 catches, 194 yards and one touchdown are all second to Nabers on the team.

He'll likely start alongside Darius Slayton. Bryce Ford-Wheaton, Ihmir Smith-Marsette and second-year wideout Jalin Hyatt fill out the rest of the depth chart at the position.

There is no timetable yet for Nabers' return.

"I'd say each day it's getting a little bit better, but just not at the point where he can take the next step in the protocol for us," Daboll said. "Again, you don't want to force anything like that. You want to make sure that all the steps are very careful in that regards to concussions."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Malik Nabers injury update: Status for Giants WR in Week 5