The biggest question mark hanging over the Dallas Cowboys' season opener against the New York Giants on Sunday night is the status of star wide receiver Malik Nabers.
The Giants have waffled all summer about Nabers' availability for the start of the season. As September 13 has drawn closer, though, it's seemed increasingly likely that he'd be out there. Practicing fully on Wednesday and Thursday was another strong indicator.
However, Nabers spoke to the media after Thursday's session and sounded like someone who may play (h/t SNY Giants on X).
"I've been wanting to play for so long now," Nabers said. "But at the end of the day, I can't put my career at risk. I got to take that into account. There's a lot of football that I still have left to play. ..."
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The key line there is "I can't put my career at risk" to play one game.
And if you're wondering whether Nabers and the Giants are playing mind games with Dallas, a Giants reporter followed up with that exact question or if he's genuinely still deciding. The 2024 Pro Bowler shut that down real quick.
"By the look on my face, you feel like that's what it is?," Nabers responded. "I don't care who I play. I don't fear anybody. I'll let them know if I'm playing. I'll let them know if I'm not playing. If you see me out there, you see me out there. If you don't, you don't."
If you couldn't already tell, the Giants are letting Nabers decide if he's playing, which is pretty bizarre. This isn't a veteran managing a twisted ankle or general soreness. This is a 23-year-old franchise cornerstone who's coming back from a torn ACL and a meniscus that required two surgeries.
If Nabers is medically cleared but still unsure whether his knee is ready for a regular-season game, shouldn't someone intervene and make the decision for him? That's not to say Nabers shouldn't have a voice in the process. He knows his body better than anyone. But there's a big difference between having a voice and making the final call.
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If there's enough doubt that Nabers is openly talking about protecting his career, sitting him for one more game feels like the obvious call. But that is on the Giants to navigate.
From a Cowboys' perspective, it's impossible to overstate how big it'd be if Nabers doesn't play. He's the one player in New York's offense who can completely change the complexion of the game.
The former No. 6 overall pick has had his way in three career games against Dallas, catching 29 of 41 targets for 351 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He's capable of winning a game on his own.
Without him, Dallas wouldn't have to devote nearly as much attention to preventing explosive plays or worry about Nabers taking over a drive by himself. Darnell Mooney, Malachi Fields, and Isaiah Likely become a lot less scary if Nabers isn't out there commanding double teams or bracket coverage.
Nabers has not made a decision, and it's worth repeating that he was a full participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. But repeat the above quote to yourself a couple of times, and try to tell us that it sounds like someone who plans on taking the field Sunday night.
We didn't think so.
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