Giants WR Malik Nabers caught 5 balls for just 44 yards in Thursday night’s loss to the Commanders. QB J.J. McCarthy played well, completing 23 of 36 passes for 293 yards. But he was locked on to Isaiah Likely, connecting with the TE on 9 of 11 passes for 127 yards and a TD. Those were all easily team highs. Nabers ranked second on the Giants in targets, but his 7 were just a 19.4% share. Two of Nabers’ 5 catches came on screens. Most of his damage came on a 37-yard grab on a stop-and-go route in the third quarter. He lost a fumble later that drive, slipped on an out route in the fourth quarter, and then lost a 50/50 ball for a game-ending INT by CB Rasul Douglas.
2026 Fantasy Football Impact: Trust the 28% Target Share
This was not Nabers’ best outing. Perhaps the short week was tough on his surgically repaired knee, but he didn’t look like the same player we’ve seen earlier this season.
That’s now two straight duds for Nabers, who posted a 5-43-0 line in Week 9. That one was more forgivable against an Eagles secondary that’s still very talented. And Nabers topped 110 yards in four straight games prior to that one.
So we’re not hitting the panic button. McCarthy has played reasonably well since taking over as the Giants' starter. And Week 10 was just Nabers’ second game this season below a 24% target share. His 28% target share on the season is a top-10 mark among WRs.
Nabers’ remaining schedule ranks 10th-toughest. But the only truly worrisome spot is a Week 14 trip to Seattle. Nabers closes the fantasy season with awesome matchups against the Lions in Week 16 and Cowboys in Week 17. He could be a championship-winner in those contests.
Nabers remains a weekly must-start and could be a buy-low target this week coming off two quiet games.
