Giants' Malik Nabers not participating in first day of joint practices with Jets

The Giants traveled about 40 minutes or so from the Meadowlands to Florham Park on Tuesday for the first of two days of joint practices against the Jets, but there was one very notable absence from the practice fields: wide receiver Malik Nabers.

Nabers originally exited last Wednesday's practice early after participating in individual drills and few team period drills. Afterwards, Nabers said his exit was all part of the plan to make sure he was ready for Week 1 of the regular season against the Washington Commanders on Sept. 7.

Nabers, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2024 draft, has looked explosive while on the field during this year's camp, but a lingering toe issue has forced him to miss time.

We had a great rehab during the spring to try to get me back," Nabers said earlier in camp.So, I'm back feeling good now, feeling a little bit better and healthy -- out there running around it definitely felt good."

Nabers explained in late July that his toe issue dates back to his time at LSU, and it was something he had to manage throughout his rookie season. What he and the training staff did last year seemed to work just fine, as Nabers caught 109 passes (the most ever for a rookie wide receiver) for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns. He played in 15 of the Giants' 17 games, missing two games in October due to concussion symptoms.

While Nabers said in July that surgery has been discussed, he also said that it's never been a complete thought," saying that everything the team has been doing to manage it has been going well."

The Giants and Jets will practice against each other on Tuesday and Wednesday before playing each other at MetLife Stadium on Saturday night.