It has been almost a year since New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers suffered the torn ACL that ended his 2025 season. The injury came in a Week 4 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, which happened to be quarterback Jaxson Dart's first start for Big Blue. The second-year QB and his star receiver have never played a full game together.
It's still unclear whether that will change when the Giants take on the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football in Week 1. While Nabers has made progress in his recovery and has increased his participation in practice, he has not yet been given an official designation for the season opener.
Here is everything we currently know about his status as the G-Men prepare for their first game of the regular season.
Everything we know about Giants WR Malik Nabers' injury status for Week 1
Nabers' recovery has taken longer than a typical ACL injury would suggest. He had to have a "cleanup surgery" over the offseason, delaying his recovery timeline. Head coach John Harbaugh said during minicamp that the injury is "not a simple knee."
But the star wide receiver has increased his participation in practice throughout training camp and the preseason. He even shed the red non-contact jersey during the preseason, becoming a full participant in practice.
He is officially listed as questionable heading into the Week 1 matchup against the Cowboys. His status will likely be a game-time decision, and Nabers' own assessment of his recovery could weigh heavily in the decision to play him or to rest him.
When asked this week whether he will be playing on Sunday, Nabers told reporters that "They're leaving that decision up to me."
Nabers said, "I'm very confident on my ability to move. So I'm very confident. Like I said, I put in great work, tested well. I've done tremendous testing. So, overall, I'm good. My confidence is there. It's just when do I want to put it on display."
If he doesn't play on Sunday, or if his role is limited, the rest of the Giants' receivers will need to step up. Darnell Mooney, Malachi Fields, Odell Beckham Jr., and Dalen Cambre are other receivers on the roster who could earn more targets if Nabers is out. Tight end Isaiah Likely, who has been Dart's top target in practice throughout training camp and the preseason, is also expected to plauy an important role.
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