Malik Nabers drew attention for something other than the ball during a Giants training session on August 5: his absence from a stretch of team periods as the club manages his reps amid ongoing shoulder and toe issues. The plan, Nabers stressed, isn’t a setback but a deliberate approach. “It’s all part of the plan… I just wanna go out there, stay right in the team drills. When my name is called to go out there, I’m going out there.”
His rookie season set a high bar. Nabers posted 109 receptions for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns, earning a Pro Bowl nod as a standout target for New York. With him out for a stretch, the Giants turned to Beaux Collins to hold down Nabers’ spot with the first-team offense. The news was confirmed by Giants beat writer Art Stapleton, who noted that Collins was back in Nabers’ slot after missing a week of camp.
Collins arrived in the NFL as an undrafted player in 2025, facing an uphill climb to secure snaps. Yet the coaching staff has already seen the qualities that drew college evaluators to him: crisp route running, solid work against press coverage, and a knack for finding soft spots in zone defenses. Collins’ path includes three seasons at Clemson (2021–2023) followed by a standout 2024 campaign at Notre Dame, when he played all 16 games and produced 41 receptions for 490 yards and 3 touchdowns. His elevation isn’t a mere camp upgrade—it’s a real audition for a larger role if Nabers’ health lingers.
The move also raises questions about how much the offense can rely on Nabers if his return is delayed. Nabers’ absence has been framed as a tactical gap rather than just a medical note. A Giants reporter highlighted that the offense tended to struggle without Nabers on the field and that without Darius Slay in the lineup, the dynamic of the passing attack changes noticeably. Nabers did reconnect with Russell Wilson for several scoring plays during 11-on-11 and red-zone periods, including a deep-trajectory strike over 50 yards that illustrated the kind of explosiveness the Giants hope to sustain this season.
Even when Nabers has been present, the practice weeks have underscored why he’s considered the team’s most dangerous weapon. The challenge for New York is converting those flashes into consistency once the games begin. As one observer put it, Nabers is an explosive, dynamic weapon who should be preserved for the moments that count most.
What to watch as camp continues: Nabers’ return timetable and how the Giants integrate Collins into the rotation once Nabers is ready; how Wilson’s connection with Nabers evolves in joint practices and a potential preseason workload; and whether the offense can maintain rhythm when Nabers is limited. If Collins continues to earn first-team looks and Nabers comes back on a managed plan, New York could emerge with a deeper, more flexible receiving corps that delivers in big moments.
Summary and outlook: Nabers’ hold on the Giants’ aerial attack remains pivotal, but Collins’ emergence offers a promising development for a team looking to weather any extended absence. With disciplined rehab, sharper Burns-to-Wilson chemistry, and continued growth from Collins, the Giants aim to keep their offense potent when the games truly count. A hopeful note is that this training camp competition could translate into a stronger, more versatile receiving corps for the regular season.