New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabors (concussion) will not play this Sunday night against the Cincinnati Bengals at MetLife Stadium.
Before Nabors went down late in the Giants’ Week 4 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, he was getting the majority of targets in the passing game (52 of 144, or 36 percent of the team’s targets). .
This year, the Giants took full advantage of Nabers’ presence, making 61 percent of their offensive plays.
With Nabors out last week, the Giants didn’t throw much. They ran the ball 34 times and quarterback Daniel Jones went through the air 34 times.
Here’s who Jones pitched to:
- Darius Slayton: 11 targets, 8 receptions, 122 yards, 1 touchdown
- Wan Dale Robinson: 9 targets, 6 receptions, 36 yards, 1 touchdown.
- Theo Johnson: 5 targets, 5 receptions, 48 yards
- Eric Gray: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 50 yards
- Tyrone Tracy Jr.: 1 reception for 2 yards on 2 targets.
Those who were not targeted include:
- Wide receivers Jalin Hiatt (48 snaps) and Isaiah Hodgins (25 snaps).
- Tight ends Chris Manhertz (19 snaps) and Daniel Bellinger (14 snaps)
- Running back Dante Miller (1 snap)
Nabors was a crutch of sorts for Jones, but last week he returned to pitching to his favorite target, Slayton. Robinson continued to provide solid support down below, but there were also some signs of energy from some of the others.
Johnson showed the ability to gain separation and gain several yards after the catch. Gray finally has the opportunity to play as a receiver as well.
Now, all that remains is for the Giants to finally get the ball into Hyatt’s hands. The team has been meaning to do this since the season started, but it hasn’t been possible.
The former third-round pick played 29.1 percent of the offensive snaps through five games while being targeted just three times and had no receptions.
The Bengals could be the big winner Sunday night as they continue to struggle with a defense that has allowed an average of 417 yards and 34.3 points per game over the past three games.
“I think he’s done a good job of staying grounded and he’s a talented player. I’m looking forward to seeing him get his opportunity,” Slayton said of Hyatt this week. “As someone who has been in his situation before and had this opportunity, this is what it’s all about. When it comes, it’s time to show it, and I believe he will. Masu.”
The Bengals have also allowed an NFL-best 25.3 first downs over the last three games, and have allowed opponents to convert on third downs 57.8 percent of the time over that span.
The penultimate sack rate is 3.73 percent and rarely gets to the quarterback, so Jones should have a clean pocket to work with for the majority of the game.
