Will Malik Nabers play for the Giants against the Commanders in week 1? Latest injury update

The Giants kick off the new campaign hoping that this season will be an improvement on the last. In all fairness that wouldn’t be too difficult - Brian Daboll‘s team managed just three wins in 2024, failing to make it to the postseason for the second year running and the seventh time in eight years.

Daboll‘s men start the 2025 regular season visiting the Commanders who in contrast, reached last year’s NFC Championship game (losing 55–23 to the eventual Super Bowl winners, the Eagles). Washington won both of last year’s regular season matchups - 18–21 at home and 22–27 at the MetLife.

In the preseason, the Giants finished 1-2 with a Week 1 victory over the Detroit Lions their only high moment, that was followed by defeats to the Texans and the Jets.

Washington at full strength

Washington lost all of their preseason games and had numerous injury problems to contend with but will be at full strength against the Giants, after the five players on their injury report were cleared to play: Noah Brown (knee), Dorance Armstrong (knee), cornerback Jonathan Jones (hamstring), kicker Matt Gay (illness) and quarterback Marcus Mariota (Achilles).

As for the Giants, two players head into the 2025 regular season opener listed on the IR. Andrew Thomas has been limited in practice as he recovers from a foot injury, and wide receiver Malik Nabers.

Malik Nabers dealing with a tight back

Nabers has been dealing with back and shoulder injuries that kept him sidelined for much of August. Head coach Brian Daboll gave an update on the WR, who has been suffering “back tightness” - and his Week 1 availability, after Nabers sat out Friday’s practice. “We’re gonna back down on Malik today but he’ll be alright. He’ll be fine for the game”.

In 2024, Nabers led the Giants with 170 targets, 109 catches, 1,204 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns.

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