If you’re a New York Giants fan wondering why Malik Nabers hasn’t had surgery yet, you’re not alone. When head coach Brian Daboll told reporters Thursday the superstar wide receiver still hadn't had surgery nearly four weeks after tearing his ACL, naturally, it garnered some attention. Initial response? Inconsolable panic. The reality? Super normal.
The 22-year-old went down with a non-contact injury in Week 4 during Jaxson Dart’s first career start under center — the cruelest of twists that immediately stunted any chemistry between New York's future star duo. After his early‑season breakout, the hope was that Big Blue’s passing game would level up with Nabers as Dart’s primary weapon
Instead, the team lost its most electric receiver, and now some fans are left wondering what's holding the surgery up, likely thinking the worst. But there's nothing wrong. It’s actually very standard.
Giants fans can exhale over Malik Nabers’ delayed ACL surgery
The Athletic’s Dan Duggan reported that Dabs confirmed the Pro Bowl receiver hasn’t had surgery and that they’re waiting for the swelling to go down:
Daboll said Malik Nabers hasn't had his surgery yet. My understanding is they're still waiting for swelling to go down. Expect the surgery within the next week or so.
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) October 23, 2025
Most orthopedic surgeons avoid rushing ACL surgery specifically to prevent complications. Performing the procedure while the knee is still inflamed can increase the risk of arthrofibrosis — essentially, scar tissue forming inside the joint that can permanently limit mobility. The sweet spot is typically between 3-6 weeks post-injury, once swelling is under control and the range of motion is mostly restored.
That’s why nobody inside the building seems overly concerned. Nabers is still just 25 days out from the injury. And while the image of a franchise cornerstone not going under the knife yet may be a bit jarring, there’s seriously no reason to sound the alarm.
If anything, it shows the G-Men are going with the long game here — giving their top offensive weapon the best chance to return fully healthy and without setbacks (hopefully) in 2026.
For those thinking the long game is for the birds, the trade deadline is just under two weeks away, with names starting to appear from all corners of the NFL: Jaylen Waddle, Jakobi Meyers, and Calvin Ridley are just a few of the names to keep an eye out for.
Related: Trade target could give Jaxson Dart most electric WR duo in Giants history
It's still important to note there’s no changing what the injury did to the season. Talk about a gut-punch. As frustrating as the wait will inevitably feel, this is all part of the journey. If Nabers is going to be the team's next great receiver, it starts with being as smart as possible.