EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers injured his hip flexor during practice Thursday and is questionable for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium.

Nabers, the team’s leading receiver, did not practice Friday. After sustaining the injury, he had limited participation in Thursday’s practice.

“(Thursday) it happened in practice,” coach Brian Daboll said, adding that it happened during one-on-one drills. “Again, every injury is a little different. I hope he’s ready to play, but I can’t say whether he’ll be ready to play or not.”

Daboll believed there was a chance for Nabers to play. That would be a boost for the Giants and for Drew Lock, who is expected to start at quarterback for the second straight game.

New York would likely roll with Darius Slayton and Jalin Hyatt at fullback if Nabers is unable to play. Wan’Dale Robinson remains in the slot.

If Nabers is unavailable, there will be a significant number of additional playing opportunities for her. The rookie is averaging 11.6 targets per game, leading the NFL.

Nabers leads the Giants with 75 receptions for 740 yards and three touchdowns.

But he hasn’t produced at the same level since returning from a concussion in Week 7. Nabers has not scored a touchdown since re-entering the lineup.

The sixth overall pick in this year’s draft isn’t the only injury concern the Giants have heading into this week’s game. New York (2-10) already placed star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II and tight end Theo Johnson on injured reserve earlier this week.

Starting cornerback Deonte Banks (rib), linebacker Bobby Okereke (back) and defensive lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches (shoulder/neck) did not practice this week and are out for Sunday.

Veteran Jermaine Eluemunor, who was the starting left tackle, is questionable because of a quadriceps injury. Defensive tackle DJ Davidson (shoulder) is also questionable, leaving the Giants particularly thin at that position.

It’s likely New York will need to promote or activate several defensive linemen from the practice squad.

“I think that the guys who are getting an opportunity that maybe haven’t had one before, I think they’re excited about the opportunity for some of these young guys who generally haven’t played a lot of football in the NFL,” Daboll said. “So I think everyone is focusing on what they can do, practicing how they need to practice, preparing how they need to prepare so they can go out there every week and put their best on tape. Whether it’s a guy like (defensive tackle) Casey Rogers, the defensive lineman on the practice squad, or (Cory) Durden, who just got here, or some of the tackles we have represented there. We wish we had Dexter and (tackle) Andrew Thomas and those guys, but we don’t. This is the reality of the NFL. So you are looking forward to the opportunity, which will be a great challenge.