The New York Giants will rely on a young nucleus on offense during head coach John Harbaugh’s first season in the Big Apple. Malik Nabers, while still only 22, enters his third season. With quarterback Jaxson Dart and running back Cam Skattebo, management hopes the trio can generate points.
The world awaits Nabers’ return to the field, but at the same time, doctors offered their opinions on the wideout’s future after new details emerged recently.
Doctors Believe Second Surgery Could Delay Giants WR Nabers’ Return
Last September, in a game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Nabers attempted to haul in a pass. He landed oddly, and his right knee buckled. The test revealed a torn ACL, and recently, he underwent a second surgery.
Tearing the meniscus completely complicates matters, as intact cartilage would shift the focus to the ligament. Now, two separate parts of Nabers’ right knee needed repair. Furthermore, a collection of doctors believes that deeper issues remain for the Giants’ wide receiver.
“Not necessarily a disaster but certainly not good news,” David J. Chao wrote on X. “Indicates potential stiffness or loss of motion post ACL. Certainly something to watch.”
Reported back in February that Malik Nabers had a full meniscus repair in addition to the ACL. It’s not an easy recovery and he needed a second procedure, as @DDuggan21 said.
The Giants are still hopeful he can return Week 1, per source. Still some four months until the opener. https://t.co/LkyLscqyml
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) May 14, 2026
For wide receivers, one of their most important abilities is to be able to make sudden stops and immediately start running. For a player like Nabers, who entered the league with a 4.35 time in the 40-yard dash, explosion remains an integral part of his game. Any residual loss of motion could affect how he begins his rehabilitation.
According to Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, the chances of a re-tear of the same ligament have a ceiling of 15%. As a result, the recovery process and intensity require the Giants’ doctors to exercise extra care.
As Nabers heals, the Giants’ immediate future becomes clearer. A second surgery could force the team to “delay” his return and potentially place him on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, according to Jesse Morse.
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The PUP list allows teams to shelve a player during rehab for the first four weeks of the season. Complications from ACL surgery are not uncommon. However, the timing of Nabers’ second surgery could actually benefit the Giants as it moves into the fall. Cleaning up the knee in May could make a September return possible.
“Better now than later for Malik Nabers,” Jeff Mueller wrote on X. “View this similarly to when JK Dobbins required scar tissue debridement. It has likely hindered his progress/ramp up to date so far. Could cut it close to be active week 1, all depends on if he hits his milestones. PUP an option Wk1-4.”
Last season, the Giants held the No. 24 spot in the PFSN NFL Offense Impact Rankings. In the offseason, the team added wideouts Calvin Austin III and Darnell Mooney. Then, they drafted Malachi Fields.
Will that be enough to keep the ball moving if Nabers cannot return in time for the start of the season? For now, Nabers’ doctors and therapists will help him navigate the road back.
