Malik Nabers, Tyrone Tracy reflect on making NFL history

If you need a reason to be optimistic about the future of the New York Giants, look no further than the impressive rookie duo of wide receiver Malik Nabers and running back Tyrone Tracy.

The pair became the third rookie duo in NFL history to surpass 1,000 total yards from scrimmage in the first half of Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts.

Marques Colston and Reggie Bush of the New Orleans Saints accomplished the feat in 2006, and Abner Hayes and Johnny Robinson of the Dallas Texans did it in 1960.

Nabers, the sixth overall pick by the Giants in the 2024 NFL Draft, entered the game with 969 receiving yards. His first catch was 31-yard touchdown catch-and-run on a tunnel screen that put him at exactly 1,000 yards.

Nabers caught seven passes for a career-high 171 yards and two touchdowns, including a 59-yarder in the second half. He is the first Giants receiver to reach 100 catches since Odell Beckham Jr. had 101 in 2016 and 1,000 yards since Beckham had 1,052 in 2018. Nabers now has 1,140 receiving yards and has an outside shot at breaking Beckham’s franchise rookie record of 1,305 yards. He needs 160 yards in the season finale.

Nabers needs four more receptions to tie the rookie record of 105 receptions set by Puka Nacua of the Los Angeles Rams in 2023.

“It’s kudos to him and me that we came out here, come out there in practice, do our job and then come in the game and contribute to help the team win, and do as much as possible so we can win,” Nabers said. “Seeing Tyrone go out every day at practice and do the things that he do, it’s amazing. Me and him have been uplifting each other through the season. We had stuff at the beginning of the season that didn’t go our way, but we stayed down with each other, uplifted each other and it’s paying off.”

Tracy entered the game needing 16 yards. He passed the 1,000-yard total yard mark with a 40-yard run. Tracy finished the game with 59 rushing yards and 14 receiving yards and now has 1,057 total yards from scrimmage.

“To me personally that means a lot,” Tracy said. “When you put a lot of work into something and you see that you are reaping the benefits of it, it feels really good and then for him [Malik Nabers], I know he works hard, I see it for myself. To see him have success and the way he is having success, and he missed a couple of games this season, it’s just remarkable.

“I think God puts certain people in certain situations and gives them certain opportunities and I just think that we are here for a reason, I really do. I believe that we are here for a reason and I think that this is just the beginning of something special. I’m just blessed to be here and part of this organization [the New York Football Giants].”