The New York Giants could have a major boost on offense if Malik Nabers is ready to return for their Week 1 showdown with the Dallas Cowboys.
The star wide receiver has made encouraging progress in his recovery from a torn ACL, but the Giants are still taking a cautious approach with his workload as the season opener gets closer.
What Happened to Malik Nabers?
Nabers suffered a torn ACL in his right knee during a game against the Los Angeles Chargers in September 2025. He underwent successful reconstructive surgery, followed by an additional minor scar-tissue cleanup procedure.
Despite the injury, the Giants did not place him on the PUP list, allowing him to participate in training camp. The team has occasionally limited his reps or kept him out of certain drills as a precaution.
So far, there has been no indication of a major setback.
Nabers said he feels good but knows the final decision on his return will come when the time is right. “That’ll be a decision that would be made when that time comes. I might look like I’m 100%. I make everything look well. Sometimes I run routes and I go look on the Internet and I’m like, dang, I was moving kinda crazy.”
Malik Nabers says his return-to-play decision remains pending as he works through cutting and contact readiness.
Malik Nabers: “That’ll be a decision that would be made when that time comes. I might look like I’m 100%. I make everything look well. sometimes I run routes and I go… pic.twitter.com/W1Kj9SPwRB
— MicNuggets (@micnuggetsnfl) September 1, 2026
Nabers’ return-to-play decision remains pending as he continues working on cutting and getting comfortable with contact.
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Giants Prepare for Week 1 Against Cowboys
The Giants will open their 2026 regular season against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football on September 13.
The game will also mark the beginning of the John Harbaugh era in New York. After a demanding training camp, Harbaugh will look to get the Giants off to a strong start with his new-look team.
Quarterback Jaxson Dart is expected to lead the offense as he looks to build chemistry in an aggressive new system.
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Nabers’ status is one of the biggest questions surrounding the Giants’ offense. The team has already lost another important pass catcher, with Calvin Austin III out for the season after suffering a torn ACL.
Tight end Theo Johnson is also dealing with a shoulder injury, which could lead to bigger roles for Isaiah Likely and veteran Odell Beckham Jr.
In the backfield, Cam Skattebo is expected to handle most of the first-team work, with Tyrone Tracy Jr. also expected to see significant action.
Nabers has not confirmed his Week 1 status and still needs medical clearance. The Giants are expected to remain cautious with his return.
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
