New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers has become a central figure in the offense after catching six passes for 112 yards and a touchdown in a 36-24 win over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4.
The third-year receiver then pushed for more downfield chances as the Giants prepared to face the Washington Commanders.
According to NBC Sports, Nabers said he wanted the offense to keep creating explosive plays after his strong first half against Arizona.
He entered the matchup after an uneven start to the season while returning from last season's torn ACL.
Fantasy Football Calculator reported Nabers was cleared from the injury report before Week 5 and was expected to play against Washington.
The outlet projected him for 14.6 PPR points, while noting the Commanders had allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to wide receivers.
Nabers Questions Second-Half Usage
After the Cardinals win, Nabers discussed his reduced involvement after halftime and his conversation with head coach John Harbaugh.
He explained that he wanted the team to examine how it used him during the second half.
"I felt like I didn't get targeted much after halftime. So, that was just a thing.
It's just ...
I felt like creating explosives down the field was just helping us get in a better position to score touchdowns.
Some of those plays didn't come my way, so just trying to figure out why." said Malik Nabers, New York Giants wide receiver.
Nabers also described the type of adjustment he discussed with Harbaugh after the game.
The receiver said he believed additional downfield chances could help the Giants generate more scoring opportunities.
"Just also trying to give me the ball down the field to create some of those opportunities for us to gain more points.
It felt like during the first half when we did that, it kind of led into the right direction with scoring touchdowns in the red zone.
And just — after that, we just couldn't get going.
So, I felt like the offense was needing a spark and I wanted to be that spark, so I was just trying to figure out what was going on, and what was the thought process on going into after halftime and coming out, what was the talk that he had with the coaches on implementing things down the field — we had a talk about it."
said Malik Nabers, New York Giants wide receiver.
GmenHQ reported that Nabers' comments came after he felt the team could use his ability to create big plays more often against Washington.
The report highlighted that the Commanders had struggled against top receivers, including allowing large receiving games to CeeDee Lamb and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
"trying to give me the ball down the field" was the phrase highlighted by NBC Sports when describing Nabers' discussion with Harbaugh.
The receiver's comments centered on offensive usage rather than his availability for the upcoming game.
Nabers said his Week 4 performance was still part of his return process rather than a complete breakthrough.
He continued monitoring his knee during the week after missing Wednesday practice.
"like that was a basic game" said Malik Nabers, New York Giants wide receiver.
The receiver returned to practice later in the week and was listed as ready to play against Washington.
He also explained that his knee soreness was being evaluated as the week progressed.
"a little bit more sore" said Malik Nabers, New York Giants wide receiver.
"I felt like I didn't get targeted much after halftime. So, that was just a thing.
It's just – I felt like creating explosives down the field was just helping us get in a better position to score touchdowns.
Some of those plays didn't come my way, so just trying to figure out why." said Malik Nabers, New York Giants wide receiver.
