The lights are set, the tension is real, and every Giants and Jets fan in MetLife Stadium is searching for answers. Malik Nabers electrified New York crowds all last season– nobody could stop him, no matter who threw the passes.
Tonight, the rookie’s status is the big question, and with the regular season right around the corner, every snap, every decision, and every injury feels bigger than ever.
Will Malik Nabers Suit Up Against the New York Jets?
Heading into Saturday night’s preseason matchup, all eyes are on Nabers’ health. The New York Giants’ sixth-overall pick, who caught 109 balls for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns while working with Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, Tommy DeVito, and Tim Boyle in 2024, has become a top target for whoever lines up under center during the 2024-25 campaign.
According to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, Nabers is not dealing with the same toe injury that sidelined him for OTAs and minicamp, nor the shoulder issue he faced in training camp.
Even so, a source told Raanan that while Nabers sat out joint practices with the Jets, he’s handling a different minor injury. Raanan notes this is another “very minor issue” and that his source says Nabers “is going to be good.”
Jordan Raanan was told by a source that Malik Nabers, who was held out in both joint practices vs the Jets, is dealing with a separate injury not related to his previous toe and shoulder injury.
He adds that his source said it’s a minor thing and that he’s going to be good. pic.twitter.com/Zi8w09hQTm
— Big Blue Film Room (@BigBlueFilmRoom) August 15, 2025
While the latest issue isn’t related to previous injuries, Nabers is still not expected to suit up tonight. He has been kept out for over a week and missed joint practices with the Jets and the preseason opener against Buffalo.
Giants head coach Brian Daboll said Nabers is rehabbing with the training staff and “doing everything he can to get back,” but didn’t give any details on when fans might see him again. “We’re taking it one day at a time. He’s a professional, a competitor, so he wants to be out there with his teammates,” Daboll said.
This situation has the Giants focusing on Nabers’ long-term health instead of rushing him onto the field for preseason snaps. His absence leaves the receiver group thin, with Darius Slayton and Jalin Hyatt earning more reps as coaches evaluate the depth chart.
How Will Nabers’ Absence Affect the Giants’ Offense?
Nabers was expected to help jumpstart a New York offense that struggled through the 2024 season. For Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen, the stakes are high after last year’s 3-14 finish, and every preseason rep matters.
While Nabers rehabs, backup quarterback Jaxson Dart will see extended action in the preseason, giving coaches more tape to judge before the opener in September. The situation means New York’s receiver depth and quarterback play are under a microscope as the team prepares for the 2024-25 campaign.
As the countdown to Week 1 continues, Giants fans wait to see when Nabers will return– and what his playmaking ability could mean for the new-look offense. The most important task for now is getting him back to full health before real games begin.
