Even with 1 massive story after another for the New York Giants this offseason — including hiring a new head coach and trading away a 1st-round pick — the biggest story of them all might still be the health of superstar wide receiver Malik Nabers.
The most encouraging sign for Nabers came on Monday, when head coach John Harbaugh told the assembled media, “It’s reasonable to assume” that Nabers will play in the season opener barring any setbacks with his surgically repaired knee.
Nabers had 109 receptions for 1,204 yards and 7 touchdowns in 15 games as a rookie in 2024 but tore his ACL just 4 games into the 2025 regular season.
The Giants host the Cowboys for a primetime Sunday Night Football game in Week 1.
“John Harbaugh isn’t ready to make any blanket statements on Malik Nabers for Week 1. But he did say … he’s trending towards being ready for the Cowboys,” ESPN’s Jordan Raanan wrote on his official X account.
That wasn’t the only positive step Nabers took toward rejoining the team on Monday.
“Another step for Malik Nabers and the Giants: He shed the red jersey and took part in 7-on-7 & 11-on-11,” The New York Post’s Connor Hughes wrote on his official X account. “He wasn’t full (worked in for reps), but a step in right direction. He made a nice grab diving back for the ball on an intermediate route/curl. The Giants were without pads today, so not full contact in that sense, but a “contact” day for Nabers. Again … Week 1 looks good.”
Malik Nabers Talked Expectations for Return
While Nabers still doesn’t have a timetable for when he might return, he dismissed a question from reporters on Friday about if and when he might be able to return to the player he was as a rookie — although not dismissed in the way you might think.
“I have extreme confidence in myself,” Nabers said. “And I not gonna put myself in any spot where I’m not gonna be better than what I was before. So I don’t see myself being what I was before, what y’all saw my rookie year. I felt like that was basic … I hold myself to a very high standard, and I feel like that high standard, you’re going to see it sooner or later.”
Malik Nabers Created Buzz by Avoiding PUP List
The 1st hint Nabers might be ready for the season opener came when he avoided starting the season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) List and has been running routes at full speed in individual drills.
“Giants place three players on the PUP list in advance of veterans reporting for training camp next week … and Malik Nabers is not one of them,” USA Today’s Art Stapleton wrote on his official X account on July 23. “Neither is Cam Skattebo, so flip out if you’d like.”
Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay put Nabers at the top of his list of “dark horse candidates” to win NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2026.
“Despite Nabers’ bursting onto the scene with one of the best rookie seasons in recent memory — he caught 109 passes for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games — and establishing himself as one of the best receivers in the league, he only has the 19th best odds of winning Offensive Player of the Year this season,” Kay wrote on July 8. “Nabers’ impending return will be a massive boon for a Giants squad working to take a major step forward in 2026. The team went all-in on a regime change and roster improvements this offseason, most notably placing John Harbaugh at the head coaching reins and bolstering Jaxson Dart’s protection with first-round guard Francis Mauigoa.”
Giants Give Positive Injury Update on WR Malik Nabers