Injury news: Malik Nabers avoids a long-term injury

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll provided updates on several injured Giants ahead of the teams practice on Tuesday.

First and foremost, Daboll confirmed that WR Malik Nabers (ankle) did not suffer a significant injury. Nabers has gone through the full battery of tests for the ankle injury he sustained at the end of practice on Sunday. The tests revealed that Nabers did not suffer a fracture in his ankle and the injury will be a short-term one. Daboll said that the rookie receiver won’t be taking part in practice on Tuesday, but he also isn’t expected to miss much time.

Nabers said after practice that he initially thought the injury was worse than it turned out to be. He added that his ankle won’t need support and he expects to be ready for week one against the Minnesota Vikings.

In news that is nearly as important, offensive linemen John Michael Schmitz (shoulder) and Evan Neal (ankle) will practice once again Tuesday, and their work load will expand to include team periods. Daboll said that Schmitz will practice as the first team center, while Neal will practice as the second team right tackle. It’s worth noting that this will be Neal’s first team period since being taken of the PUP list on Sunday.

Staying on the offensive line, Jon Runyan Jr. and Jake Kubas both suffered shoulder injuries during Monday’s fully padded practice. Runyan won’t practice on Tuesday, though the Giants don’t seem overly concerned about his long-term availability. Kubas took reps with the first team offensive line.

Speedy running back Dante “Turbo” Miller suffered a hamstring injury and won’t practice on Tuesday. As of this writing we don’t know how significant Miller’s injury is, nor a timeline for his return. Hopefully he won’t miss much time and continue his campaign to make the 53-man roster.

Daboll also confirmed that rookie cornerback Dru Phillips (ankle) remains limited and will miss practice again on Tuesday.

Tight end (and emergency quarterback) Tyree Jackson is limited with a “stiff back”, and Ed Valentine noted during practice that he went through walk-throughs with the tight ends. Daboll noted that the team won’t add a quarterback, as they believe that Drew Lock (hip/contusion) could play if necessary.

Finally, Daboll said that TE Lawrence Cager suffered a groin injury and will likely be out “long term”.