Malik Nabers is getting closer to football again, but the New York Giants are not circling Week 1 in permanent marker.
The star wide receiver is recovering from a torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee. His workload has increased throughout training camp, including last week, when he joined team drills in a red noncontact jersey.
What Happened to Malik Nabers?
Nabers suffered the injury against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 28, 2025, when his right knee buckled as he went to the ground trying to make a catch. The injury ended his second NFL season after four games.
He underwent surgery on Oct. 28 to repair the ACL and meniscus. Nabers later revealed that the procedure included a full meniscus repair, making the recovery more complicated than an isolated ACL tear.
The process hit another bump this offseason. Nabers underwent a second procedure to remove scar tissue that was causing stiffness. The Giants remained hopeful the cleanup would not derail his chances of returning for the season opener, but neither side has promised a date.
That caution has not stopped the progress.
Nabers participated in individual work when the training camp opened, and his workload gradually increased. Last week, he took part in controlled team drills while wearing a red jersey to ensure defenders avoided contact.
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Head coach John Harbaugh called the development a “milestone” and said the team was excited to see Nabers working with the offense again.
The 2025 sample showed why New York is careful. Nabers played just four games last season, finishing the campaign with 18 receptions for 271 yards and 2 touchdowns.
However, in his rookie season, Nabers played 15 games, recording 109 receptions for 1,204 yards and 7 touchdowns. He posted an impact score of 82.7 on PFN’s WR Impact Metric, ranking eighth at his position.
Will Malik Nabers Be Ready for Week 1?
There is growing optimism, but no guarantee yet.
The Giants open the regular season on Sept. 13 against the Dallas Cowboys. Nabers has not participated in full-contact team periods, and he has said his return will depend on how his knee responds rather than a date on the calendar.
“There’s no target date,” Nabers said earlier in camp. “Just stacking days.”
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Harbaugh has followed the same approach. New York plans to increase Nabers’ work as his body allows, with live team drills representing the next major checkpoint.
This past Monday, Nabers finally participated in full-speed live drills for the first time since his injury, and the star wideout “felt good getting some team reps, getting out there, catching the football.”
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When asked about Nabers’ Week 1 status, Harbaugh said, “I think we’ve just got to go with the process. I mean, you can’t really say. You can hope. Sure, I hope he’s out there. I’m praying for it, certainly, but we’ll see.”
Week 1 remains realistic because Nabers has cleared several important hurdles. He avoided the PUP list, returned to individual drills, and then entered controlled team periods. The biggest remaining question is how the knee responds when the speed and contact increase.
For New York, there is little reason to win an August race. The goal is to have Nabers ready when Dallas arrives, not to prove he can survive a preseason practice.
Right now, the signs are encouraging. The final green light still has to come from Nabers’ knee.
