The New York Giants were back on the field for their fourth training camp practice Sunday at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center following a day off.
The pads still weren't on — that starts Monday morning — but there were plenty of notes to take away from the fourth training camp practice.
Here are the biggest takeaways from Sunday's training camp practice:
Takeaways from Day 4 of Giants training camp
Malik Nabers continues to shine
By all accounts, Nabers has had no issues transitioning to the NFL through the first week of training camp. The No. 6 overall pick continues to put together massive days, showing off some highlight-reel catches in the process.
Sunday was no different. Nabers may have made the catch of camp thus far with an incredible over-the-shoulder grab near the sideline against Cor'Dale Flott. It was a beautiful ball by Daniel Jones, putting it only where Nabers could grab it.
Holy cow! Malik Nabers coming at you. Great throw and catch with Daniel Jones #Giants pic.twitter.com/KwAZuAyIHJ
— Ryan Dunleavy (@rydunleavy) July 28, 2024
It's difficult to not get too excited about what Nabers can bring to the Giants offense, especially with what he's shown throughout the first week of camp.
Daniel Jones still shaky
Jones is still finding his rhythm at camp when it comes to team drills. He seems to be getting off to slow starts before showing flashes of brilliance, especially on the deep passes. The Giants haven't done much downfield passing over the last two seasons, and Jones has looked hit-or-miss in that area to begin camp.
We mentioned to beautiful pass he made to Nabers, but he also hit second-year receiver Jalin Hyatt on a deep ball down the left sideline. So there have been encouraging signs that Jones can round into form. But he's also had his share of poor throws when looking downfield.
According to Darryl Slater of NJ.com, Jones had a handful of misses on potentially big plays.
He under-threw a deep ball for Hyatt, and Dane Belton almost intercepted it. On the next play, Jones under-threw a deep ball for Nabers. Two plays later, Nabers was open deep, having beaten Flott, and Jones under-threw him yet again. Brutal. Three plays after that, Jones missed Wan’Dale Robinson on a screen pass that Phillips jumped and broke up. A play before the Nabers deep ball, Jones was high on a short ball to Robinson.
If the Giants offense is going to take the next step in Year 3 under Brian Daboll, Jones must be more consistent with the deep ball.
Injury report
PUP list: RT Evan Neal (ankle), CB Aaron Robinson (knee)
NFI list: CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver (groin), S Jalen Mills (calf)
Did not practice: C John Michael Schmitz (shoulder), S Tyler Nubin (calf)
Schmitz was held out of practice Sunday after leaving Friday's practice with a shoulder injury. Rookie tight end Theo Johnson (hip) was removed from the PUP list and made his camp debut.
A battle at nickel
For the first three practices, Nick McCloud has been taking the overwhelming reps as the first-team nickel defender. He now has some serious competition. Rookie Dru Phillips, the team's third-round pick, appears to be closing the gap behind McCloud on the depth chart for the starting nickel role.
Quick notes
Linebacker Micah McFadden (hamstring) saw his reps with the first team increase.
Brian Daboll wouldn't commit to Evan Neal being ready for Week 1: "Yeah, I'd say this, it's day-to-day, and each day he's getting better. When he's ready to go, he'll be ready to go."
With John Michael Schmitz out, the Giants put Jimmy Morrissey at center with the first-team offensive line on Friday. However, Austin Schlottman was the initial first-team center on Sunday. Right guard Jon Runyan also saw some snaps at center.
After seeing his reps with the first-team defense surprisingly limited during the first three practices, cornerback Deonte Banks was back to taking every rep with the starters.
What's next?
The Giants are back on the field Monday morning for Day 5 of training camp, which will be their first with pads on.
