New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh sent an entire fanbase into a panic with four words when he said that Malik Nabers' lingering ailment is "not a simple knee injury."
Since that update from the head coach, it's been impossible to pinpoint the superstar wide receiver's return date. While general manager Joe Schoen believes he can be ready to go for the start of the season, some speculate that his return could come a few weeks later.
Without Nabers, the Giants' receiver room would be too thin for comfort. But Eric Edholm of NFL.com is urging fans not to panic about the availability of the star receiver. In a recent article breaking down five storylines fans shouldn't overreact to, Edholm said of Nabers, "I think the G-Men can at least survive if he's not 100 percent to start the season."
Giants can get by without injured Malik Nabers
Edholm cites New York's recent additions at receiver as insurance for the Giants in case Nabers isn't fit to start the year. While players like Odell Beckham Jr. and JuJu Smith-Schuster are no longer capable of holding down major roles, they give the G-Men a baseline of competence that wasn't previously in the building.
Beckham and Smith-Schuster, along with rookie Malachi Fields, Darnell Mooney, and Calvin Austin III, can form a passable group for a few weeks while Nabers gets back to full health. It's not ideal, but it should be enough to get by.
Especially if Nabers is out to start the season, the Giants may compensate by leaning harder into heavy personnel packages and the run game. The addition of Isaiah Likely should open the door for more 12 and 13 personnel looks in 2026.
As Edholm said, "The good news on Cam Skattebo's injury certainly helps, and the Giants have reconstructed the roster to be able to run the ball more often and more effectively. I believe that'll be a big part of their identity. Big enough that they can overcome Nabers not being at his best, if needed."
Nabers is the best skill player on the Giants' offense, full stop. We're not pretending that his potential absence doesn't matter. Without him, Jaxson Dart doesn't have an obvious top target. That could absolutely set the offense back.
But this lingering issue isn't a reason to sell all Giants stock before the season starts. All signs point to a return early in the year, and Big Blue has the tools to survive until that time comes.
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