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Jordan Raanan, ESPN Staff Writer
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers didn’t remember the end of a play two weeks ago when he suffered a concussion against the Dallas Cowboys. The video, he said, showed that he was unconscious in the play.
The whole situation is “scary,” according to the rookie wide receiver.
Nabers, who is set to return this weekend when the Giants host the Philadelphia Eagles, has missed the past two games with a concussion suffered on Oct. 3 when his face hit the hard turf while trying to corral a pass from quarterback Daniel Jones.
“It’s scary when I can’t remember what happened,” Nabers said. “I can’t remember the last show I did, so yeah, it was scary.
“The last thing I remember was (Jones) throwing me the ball.
Nabers said he experienced headaches and migraines after the injury. He did not specify other symptoms. It was the first known concussion.
The seventh overall pick in this year’s draft was removed from the concussion protocol Thursday, two weeks to the day after suffering the injury. He was limited in practice there because of a groin problem that he said dates to college. The Giants didn’t seem to think it would be a problem.
Coach Brian Daboll said the groin “tightened up” in Nabers during practice on Friday. So the team is just careful. Nabers was not given an injury designation for Sunday and expects to be able to handle whatever workload the game plan calls for.
Running back Devin Singletary (groin) will also return to face the Eagles. Singletary also missed the past two games.
Meanwhile, defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (hip) and outside linebacker Brian Burns (groin) are officially listed as questionable for Sunday. But both sides have insisted throughout the week that they will play.
Nabers returned after two weeks of being closely monitored, both on and off the field. He took criticism during that time on social media for attending a Travis Scott concert with his friend Isaiah Simmons while still in the protocol.
Nabers said Friday that he informed the Giants before attending the concert. He declined to discuss the team’s specific reaction.
“Yes, I will always be myself,” he said. “I mean, this is the life I chose. It’s about work. But at the end of the day, I still have my own life. I still have a private life, so I’ll continue. To have my own private life, I’ll keep watching my back and I’ll keep having private life.”
Nabers learned quickly that he was in the spotlight playing in New York. Everyone seems to have an opinion.
He mentions X (before Twitter) and admits he can’t avoid outside comments about attending the concert. Some are sent to the phone by friends and family.
He tried not to be too affected by the criticism.
“I mean, that’s the business. If they research what causes a concussion, what makes it worse, and on the internet if they say that lights, hear (loud noises), then there is,” said Nabers. “I didn’t face anything with the lights. They asked if I had a problem with the lights, I said no. Having a problem with the sound, I said no. … I’ve been playing loud music since I’ve known (about) the commotion in the car i go out with the light does not make my head hurt.
Nabers said he’s most worried about getting eligible and getting back on the field.
He just had to sit out two games and watch his team score just one touchdown in Sunday’s 17-7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
“My health is really the most important thing,” Nabers said. “So I’m not really frustrated. I just come back out when I feel right.”
That time is now.
