LANDOVER, Md. — The Giants have given Malik Nabers a say in everything from play calling to their quarterback search since he arrived in the NFL, so he’s not about to bite his tongue now.
Nabers and head coach Brian Daboll were barking at each other on the sideline between the first and second quarters, as the Giants offense sputtered through a red zone series that wound up with three points off a 21-yard field goal despite seven snaps inside the 8-yard line.
“I said I was going to speak up when it was time for me to speak up,” Nabers said. “The energy wasn’t right, so I took it upon myself to try to boost people up. It’s two competitive people going at it. He wants to win, I want to win, I feel like that’s the reason he got me over here is because how me and him are just alike.”
Daboll similarly downplayed the interaction, which seemed to be smoothed over in a matter of minutes on the field.
Daboll put out his hand for a slap from Nabers, who had his head down and didn’t see it until Daboll pulled him in for a hug.
Nabers finished with five catches for 71 yards on 12 targets.
“We are two highly competitive people,” Daboll said. “We want to get him the ball. That’s all it is. It’s two competitive people understanding that where we are at right now — offensively — is not where we want to be.”
LB Micah McFadden suffered an injury to his right foot that required an air cast as he was carted off the field. He later returned to the sideline wearing a boot.
X-rays were negative, The Post confirmed.
RG Evan Neal and rookie third-round pick DT Darius Alexander were healthy scratches.
It’s a dubious start to a new chapter for Neal, a first-round pick who flopped at tackle over three years. He was getting first-team reps over the first half of training camp and wound up losing that job to Greg Van Roten and the top backup guard job to Aaron Stinnie.
Despite being owed $4 million guaranteed in 2025, it raises questions of how long Neal will be on the roster if he has no game-day role.
Alexander was drafted to be an immediate impact player but has fallen behind D.J. Davidson and practice-squad elevation Elijah Garcia on the depth chart.
With LT Andrew Thomas (foot) inactive, the Giants started free agent acquisition James Hudson III, who was flagged for a holding penalty.
Hudson’s start continued a streak dating to 2009-10 of not having the same starting offensive line in Week 1 of back-to-back seasons.
Abdul Carter — the favorite to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year — blocked a punt on special teams in his NFL debut. The ball still went 29 yards, however.
“He provides some value in that area,” Daboll said. “He’s excited to do it.”
It was the first time that Washington has not allowed a touchdown at home against the Giants and won the game since 1979.
