Malik Nabers not expected to be placed on PUP list in huge Giants boost

The Giants are going to hit the practice field Wednesday, July 29th to kick off training camp. And the biggest story isn't who's hurt. It's actually who's not on the injury list. The Giants placed three players on the PUP list to start camp. Darius Slayton wasn't on that list by the way. But the biggest name of them all who wasn't on it, third year wide receiver Malik Neighbors. But what does that exactly mean? As a quick refresher to those out there, Neighbors tore his ACL with meniscus damage back in week four last season. He needed a second cleanup surgery this offseason. And there are even doubts or real questions about whether he'd be ready to play weeks one through four, let alone the start of training camp. But here's what not putting him on the PUP list to start training camp means and why this matter. Staying off PUP means that he can practice fully right away. Zero restrictions. No one in their right mind thinks that they're going to actually do that though. You keep them off the list so that they can slowly sprinkle him in when and how they want when they think that he's ready and they can see how both he and the knee progresses. You want him to be around the team and on the practice field, not in a red jersey off to the side with the trainers. Could this mean that he'll be ready week one against Dallas? Only time and his body will tell you. But it looks like the Giants aren't closing the door on that possible return. However, slow it down because John Harbaugh has been careful with his words, calling the knee not simple. So this is progress, but it's not a guarantee. And before anyone gets too excited, the history of receivers and ACL tears is kind of a mixed bag when it comes to their return. About a third of receivers who tear an ACL don't even make it back on the field the following season. But when they ball, they absolutely ball. I'm talking Cooper Cupp, Keenan Allen, Julian Edelman, all top tier the year after their tear. And that's exactly why this matters so much for the Giants. Malik Neighbors has been the weapon in this offense since his rookie year when he put up 109 catches for 1,200 plus yards and seven touchdowns. He's the playmaker of this passing game, the x-factor in Matt Nagy's new offense, and is going to play a huge role for Jackson Dart's development heading into his year two. Without him at full strength, talking about Malik Neighbors, that entire unit looks different. So not putting him on PUP doesn't mean he's going to be out there in full pads day one running routes and stock blocking. I need y'all to manage your expectations. It's getting him whatever reps they feel he's ready for and keeping him on the field with the offense to pick up the things in Nagy's offense that you just don't pick up in film rooms or reading the playbook. But it is some good news and a good start to his journey back on the field.