Malik Nabers was ‘locked in’ despite getting no targets in Giants’ preseason debut

It took one preseason game for the Giants’ pre-draft concerns about Malik Nabers to be put to the test. 

“How do you handle not being involved early in the game?” Daboll asked Nabers during a meeting at the NFL Combine, as seen on “Hard Knocks.” 

The Giants were comfortable enough with Nabers’ answer — “If I’m not in those plays and not getting the ball, I’m pretty hard on it,” he said — to draft him No. 6 overall. 

So, after a sensational start to his rookie training camp that included dominating during two joint practices and trading punches with Lions defensive back Kerby Joseph, Nabers made his debut Thursday and … was not targeted on any his 12 offensive snaps. 

How did Nabers actually handle not being involved early in the game? 

“He was good,” Daboll said. “Locked in. Good mindset.” 

Nabers had his hand in the air calling for the ball on a go-route on the first play of the game.

By that time, however, the pocket had broken down and Lock rolled out in the opposite direction. 

Nabers played both sides of the fence after the game. 

“I did a very good job of getting open but everything has to go my way to get the ball,” he said. “I could’ve done a better job of creating separation, getting better looks for the QB to throw the ball in better spots.” 

Former CFL star QB Nathan Rourke, who was with the Giants until July 28, is with the Falcons, so scratch his name from the list of stopgaps.

QB Jacob Eason, who was with the Giants at times last season, was recently released by the Packers.