Malik Nabers on if he'll be healthy for Week 1: 'No doubt'

After coming in as a No. 1 wide receiver on the New York Giants’ first unofficial depth chart, Malik Nabers didn’t get a target in the preseason opener. Then, he suffered a setback with an ankle injury that knocked him out of practice.

But when it comes to his status for the season opener in a few weeks, the former LSU star didn’t mince words. He plans to be out there in Week 1.

Nabers had two words to summarize his status for the first game of his NFL career when the Giants take on the Minnesota Vikings. Even though his status for the rest of camp is up in the air, his plans for the opener are not.

“No doubt,” Nabers said Tuesday when asked if he’ll be healthy for Week 1, via ESPN’s Jordan Raanan.

Nabers was the second receiver off the board in a draft filled with receiver talent. He finished with 1,569 receiving yards at LSU a season ago as Jayden Daniels put together a Heisman Trophy-winning season. That led the Giants to select him as they look to kickstart their offense. There was chatter they’d take a quarterback, but they opted for a playmaker instead of moving on from Daniel Jones.

But the ankle injury presented another hurdle for him to jump as he works toward his first regular-season snaps. However, Nabers said it’s a minor injury and not much to worry about. While the Giants are taking a cautious approach with their top draft pick, Nabers added he’s grateful it was the best-case scenario.

“As a football player, you always think the worst of anything if you’re not able to play,” Nabers said. “To hear the good news come back saying that it was really nothing, that it was just going to take rehab and time, that was great to hear.”

The Giants have two more preseason games to go before the opener against Minnesota, and it’s unclear if Malik Nabers will play any more as he gets back to full health. If he has his way, he knows what he’d do.

“It’s a game rep,” Nabers said. “So every game opportunity rep that I have, of course I want to take advantage of it. If that is what my coaches decide on then that is what is going to happen.”

The Giants will kick off the 2024 season Sept. 8 against the Vikings at MetLife Stadium. Kickoff will be at 1 p.m. ET.