The New York Giants had a tough flight back home from Denver. Before their shocking 33-32 loss to the Broncos, NFL teams leading by 18+ points with under six minutes left in the game were 1,602-0. Now, they’re 1,602-1.
With that in mind, and with the team still hurting from Malik Nabres’ injury, GM Joe Schoen decided to add a little more juice to the offense, signing another veteran pass catcher for rookie Jaxson Dart.
Who Did The Giants Sign to Replace Malik Nabers?
According to Atlanta Falcons insider D. Orlando Ledbetter, the Giants will reunite veteran WR Ray-Ray McCloud with coach Brian Daboll. For now, they signed him to a practice-squad deal.
“Ex Falcons WR Ray-Ray McCloud signing with Giants’ practice squad — McCloud reunites with Brian Daboll, who was the offensive coordinator with the #Bills when McCloud played there,” Ledbetter wrote on X.
McCloud, who has hauled in 158 receptions for 1,518 receiving yards and two touchdowns in eight years in the league, can also be a factor with his abilities as a kick-returner. So far, he’s logged 1,326 punt-return yards and 2,890 kick-off return yards.
The Atlanta Falcons shockingly released him on October 21.
Why Was Ray-Ray McCloud Released?
As we previously reported, the Falcons didn’t disclose the reasons behind his sudden release. When asked about his absence, head coach Raheem Morris only stated that he had been granted an ‘excused absence,’ adding that it was unrelated to disciplinary reasons.
“I sent him home,” Morris said before Week 6, per ESPN. “Excused absence — home. Working through some things right now that are private with my young man, and we’ll figure those things out as we go.”
He played the first four games of the season, logging one start and hauling in six receptions on 14 targets for 64 yards. He also had four kick returns for 91 yards.
The Giants’ wide receiver corps is decimated with Nabers, leaving Wan’Dale Robinson, Darius Slayton, and Jalin Hyatt as the starters, with Beaux Collins and Gunner Olszewski as potential depth pieces. That leaves the door wide open for the veteran to make his way to the field in the Big Apple.
How Long Will Malik Nabers be Out?
Nabers suffered a season-ending ACL and meniscus injury in the Giants’ Week 4 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He was leaping for a pass and had to be carted off the field after landing awkwardly on the artificial turf.
The second-year pro was also dealing with a turf toe injury and a partially torn labrum, but he will have more than enough time to get back to full strength before the start of the 2026 season.
So far, he’s made 19 appearances (17 starts), hauling in 127 receptions for 1,475 yards and nine touchdowns, setting a rookie record with 107 grabs last season, and ranking second all-time among rookies with 1,204 receiving yards.
