Malik Nabers ran off the field and shouted “I’ve been practicing!” almost loud enough for Philadelphia fans to hear.
After his absence from Thursday’s practice due to knee discomfort caused some unrest among Giants fans, Nabers was back Friday and didn’t want anyone to have to wait two extra hours until the injury report came out to find out he’s ready to face the Eagles on Sunday.
“It’s not a problem,” head coach John Harbaugh said. “He will be fully prepared for the match.”
How important is this? Forget Nabers’ four straight 100-yard games and think about what quarterbacks coach Brian Callahan told JJ McCarthy when he made his season debut.
“He was getting his feet wet, a little shaky at first,” Callahan said. “He came back to the sideline and I said, ‘Hey man, No. 1 (Nabers) and No. 9 (Isaiah Likely), as many as you can find.’ This is how good offenses work. He learns.
The Giants had been linked to DTs Jeffery Simmons and Da’Ron Payne on the trade market. Neither is coming, but another defensive tackle might.
“The more, the merrier,” DJ Reader told the Post. “Another guy is coming, I hope he can help us. I respect all the guys in the league. And I think someone would want to be a part of us. We have a good thing going.”
Reader (57.1%) and Shelby Harris (53.9%) played most of the snaps. With Chauncey Golston sidelined, Darius Alexander, CJ Okoye and Bobby Jamison-Travis are trying to find footing.
“You have to trust that the people at the top and Harbaugh will make the best decisions,” Harris said. “You can’t dwell on these decisions. We’re just trying to win. It doesn’t matter if I play 50 snaps, 20 snaps or five snaps.”
If catching a punt isn’t difficult enough, try doing it with a healthy hand.
Charlie Jones (questionable) tried out this Thursday but was back to two-handed and wearing a brace Friday.
Jones underwent surgery for a broken thumb as a rookie in 2023.
“I’m comfortable,” Jones said. “I’m just going to see if they’re comfortable with me. With things like this, it’s good to go out and tell your brain, ‘You can do this.’ The day went well. »
Safety Jevon Holland is next in line if Jones can’t go. Leaving a starter vulnerable to big hits as a returner is “not ideal,” Harbaugh said.
“If we have to do it, we will,” he added. “Jevon is really good. I have no worries, no qualms about Jevon. Knowing him, he would be delighted.”
The Giants have an open spot on the 53-man roster and “there’s a reason for that.” Harbaugh said it was an internal promotion.
Quarterback Jaxson Dart walked around the locker room on crutches and joked with his teammates during the media window for the first time since his Sept. 21 injury.
RB Saquon Barkley (hamstring/back) will play for the Eagles, but WR Devonta Smith (hamstring) will not.
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