The New York Giants have spent the better part of the last nine seasons in the doldrums, exceeding six wins just once in that time span with just one playoff victory.
With a new head coach in the well-respected John Harbaugh, as well as a young and talented offensive corps headlined by second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart, second-year running back Cam Skattebo, and their biggest star, third-year wideout Malik Nabers, vibes are running a little higher for the Big Blue entering the 2026 season.
However, that positive outlook on the upcoming New York season took a downturn after Nabers seemingly suffered a setback in his ongoing recovery from last season’s torn ACL, suffered in Week 4 of the regular season.
What Happened To Malik Nabers?
Nabers is a year removed from posting 1,200 yards and seven touchdowns in his rookie campaign, and his presence out wide for the Giants is pivotal, especially after New York lost new slot receiver Calvin Austin to a torn ACL just days ago.
Nabers suffered a torn ACL in Week 4 of the regular season, a horrible development not only for the young receiver, but also for the Giants, who lost their top playmaker. He had racked up 271 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 18 receptions in just over three games and seemed poised to build on that promising rookie season.
Instead, Nabers lost out on his second pro season, and the Giants tumbled to a 4-13 record. One sign of how desolate the receiving corps was in New York? Nabers had the third-most receiving yards of any Giants’ receiver, and he played only three complete games.
Until this week, Nabers’ recovery had gone relatively smoothly; he avoided the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list and progressed from individual drills to 7v7 and then 11v11 work, shedding the no-contact tag this week.
Then, on Wednesday, Nabers left the practice field 20 minutes early, accompanied by team trainers.
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Although no injury was noticeable, the abrupt departure certainly raised red flags, as signs pointed to a potential setback in Naber’s lengthy recovery process.
“Malik Nabers leaving practice early, after looking good running routes in team drills, was not part of today’s plan, John Harbaugh said,” New York Daily News reporter Pat Leonard wrote on his official X account on Wednesday.
However, Harbaugh went on to say he did not receive an update on Nabers, and that, if his WR1 was injured, he would have been informed by the staff. He did not provide any reasoning as to why Nabers left the field early.
In this case, no news seems to be good news for the Giants. Barring a limited return to the practice field, which was not indicated by Harbaugh, Nabers remains on track to play Week 1, although the Giants’ fanbase may hold their breath until they see their third-year sensation back out on the field.
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Giants’ WR Room Thin Outside of Malik Nabers
Last year, while the Giants missed Nabers’ production and presence in a big way, they benefited from the breakout of Wan’Dale Robinson, who hauled in 92 receptions for 1,014 yards.
Robinson departed for the Tennessee Titans in free agency, which means that, after the Austin injury and the Nabers scare, the Giants’ wide receiver depth is a massive question mark.
Darius Slayton (37 catches in 2025) and Darnell Mooney (32 receptions with the Atlanta Falcons in 2025) are slated to start alongside Nabers. Rookie Malachi Fields and veterans Odell Beckham Jr. and Braxton Berrios represent the second-string.
If Nabers is to miss any time, Fields, a third-round pick out of the University of Notre Dame, is the best bet to step into a starting role. Fields notched 630 receiving yards and five touchdowns for the Fighting Irish in 2025.
While the Giants drafted Fields with the idea of developing him into a long-time outside receiver partner to work opposite Nabers, they may need the former Notre Dame star to adjust in a hurry if Nabers’ practice scare proves to be more than the Giants are letting on.
