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Giants fans can finally exhale – Malik Nabers’ injury scare at training camp turned out to be nothing serious. This comes as massive relief not just for the team and its supporters, but especially for the young wideout poised for a monster sophomore campaign now that New York has stabilized its quarterback situation.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport noted that Nabers “will have his shoulder checked out, but appears ok.” The Giants medical staff will likely take all precautions, but early indications suggest this won’t derail his preseason preparation.

The organization brought in Russell Wilson this offseason to replace the inconsistent Daniel Jones under center. It’s a move that should immediately elevate the entire passing attack and unlock Nabers’ full potential as a playmaker. While the Giants did draft Jaxson Dart as their potential QB of the future, Wilson gives Nabers something he desperately needed – a proven veteran who can deliver accurate throws consistently.

Dodging a Bullet

If Nabers had suffered something serious, it would’ve been yet another setback for a franchise that’s struggled to escape mediocrity. The Giants have dealt with their fair share of injury misfortune in recent years, but they’ve avoided disaster this time.

The priority now becomes managing Nabers’ recovery properly to ensure he’s 100% for Week 1.

Nabers was a revelation as a rookie despite catching passes from a rotating cast of questionable quarterbacks. He missed just two games (concussion protocol) while racking up 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns – finishing seventh in the NFL in receiving yardage. Had Jayden Daniels not engineered Washington’s turnaround, Nabers might well have claimed Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

Think about that production for a moment. Nabers put up those numbers with Jones, Tommy DeVito, and Drew Lock throwing him the ball – an underwhelming trio by any standard. With Wilson’s arrival, there’s legitimate reason for optimism about what Nabers might accomplish in his second campaign.

That said, Giants supporters shouldn’t get carried away. Wilson’s tenure with the Steelers ended with a whimper last season – a five-game skid capped by a playoff exit against Baltimore. Many of Pittsburgh’s late-season offensive struggles stemmed directly from Wilson’s declining play and inconsistency.

If Wilson shows similar limitations in New York, Nabers might find himself just as frustrated as he occasionally appeared with Jones. The difference is that Wilson – even in decline – offers a higher floor than what the Giants had previously.

Nabers clearly understands his value to this offense. He’s the dynamic playmaker the Giants have lacked since Odell Beckham Jr.’s prime years. Losing him would’ve been devastating to an organization desperate to climb out of the NFC East cellar.

Had this shoulder injury been serious, it would’ve been just another chapter in what sometimes feels like a cursed period for Giants football – another reason why today’s medical update represents such significant news for a team searching for any positive momentum.