After a sensational rookie campaign that saw him emerge as one of the league’s premier playmakers, Giants WR Malik Nabers is now facing the most grueling hurdle of his young career.
Following a torn ACL that cut his 2025 season short, Nabers recently provided a sobering update on his recovery timeline. For a Giants team desperate for stability and explosive playmaking for Jaxson Dart, the news that their WR1 might not be cleared for the 2026 season opener is a significant blow to the offseason optimism.
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Giants Could be Without Malik Nabers in Week 1 of the 2026 Season
When asked about his timetable to return and whether or not he expects to be back for Week 1 of the 2026 season, Nabers gave an uncertain response.
“My target date is when my body feels good to get out there and I can continue to be who I am,” Nabers said (h/t Ryan Dunleavy of The New York Post). “If my body doesn’t feel right [Week 1], then I’m not going to play.”
The potential absence of Nabers for Week 1 cannot be overstated. Before landing awkwardly on a jump ball against the Chargers in late September, Nabers was proving his 100-catch rookie year was no fluke, racking up 18 receptions for 271 yards and two touchdowns in just over three games of action.
He was the undisputed focal point of the early-season scheme, acting as the primary engine for an offense that has since struggled to find a consistent vertical threat. Without him, the Giants’ receiving corps struggled, as they put immense pressure on veteran Darius Slayton and Jalin Hyatt to bridge the gap for Jaxson Dart.
The Long Road to Recovery
A torn ACL in Week 4 (September 28) typically offers an optimistic window for a return, but Nabers’ recovery has hit some speed bumps. Despite the injury occurring early in the season, Nabers didn’t undergo surgery until October 28—a full month later—to allow swelling to subside and “pre-hab” to begin.
Speaking to reporters while still utilizing a cane and a bulky knee brace, Nabers was transparent about his status, stating that he won’t play if his body “doesn’t feel right” in Week 1. When asked about why he was walking with a cane on Sunday, Nabers indicated he tore more than just his ACL in September.
“I had a lot messed up in my knee,” Nabers said (h/t Connor Hughes of SNY).
While a Week 1 return would put him at roughly 10 months post-op, his current use of a walking aid this late in the winter suggests he may be slightly behind the typical nine-month track.
The Giants Need to Re-Invest at Wide Receiver
For general manager Joe Schoen and the incoming coaching staff, the Nabers update adds a complex layer to their 2026 personnel planning. With Nabers’ Week 1 status now in the air, the Giants may have to be more aggressive in free agency or the early rounds of the draft to find high-end insurance.
This need is exacerbated by the impending free agency of WR Wan’Dale Robinson. After totaling over 1,000 yards for the first time in his career, Robinson is a free agent this offseason and could get a massive deal on the open market. With Nabers injured and Robinson at risk of switching teams, the Giants need to re-invest at wide receiver.
The Jaxson Dart development plan will depend heavily on having elite weapons, and starting the season with a hobbled or absent WR1 could significantly stunt the young QB’s progress in year two.
While Nabers remains a building block for the franchise, the Giants must now prepare for a reality where they may have to survive the opening month of the 2026 season without their biggest star.
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