Malik Nabers Makes Giants Return After Major Knee Injury
Wide receiver Malik Nabers is back on the field for the Giants after recovering from a significant knee injury, logging 69 receiving yards in his first game and is now off the injury report.
Malik Nabers, wide receiver for the New York Giants, made his return to the field in the team's Week 1 game against the Dallas Cowboys, marking his first appearance since sustaining a torn ACL and meniscus on September 28, 2025. Nabers played 36 of a potential 69 offensive snaps, recording six catches for 69 yards on nine targets.
Despite being unsure of his playing status just two hours before kickoff, Nabers was deemed healthy enough to play. Following the game, he described his physical condition as "a little sore, but manageable." He has since been removed from the injury report ahead of Week 2's matchup against the Rams, though he acknowledged feeling "rusty" and noted instances of "slipping, falling."
Nabers expressed some frustration with his performance, particularly an instance where he was tripped trying to cut around a defender after a 16-yard catch. "I left some yards out there, I left some plays out there," Nabers stated. "I feel like I could’ve scored on probably two of them if I just run straight, get more yards."
His return comes as the Giants face potential shortages at cornerback. Starting corners Greg Newsome II (rib) and Deonte Banks (calf) were limited participants in practice, and backup Paulson Adebo (knee) did not practice. Rookie backup Colton Hood is in line for increased snaps if needed. Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson expressed confidence in the available players, stating, "To me, they’re nameless faces. They have a jersey number. They are on the New York Giants, and we expect them to play at a high clip."
To address the depth concerns, the Giants signed cornerback Nikko Reed from the Chargers practice squad. The team also added cornerback Jaden Robinson to their practice squad and released offensive tackle Ryan Schernecke. Other players listed as limited in the injury report include defensive lineman Chauncey Golston (neck), right guard Sisi Mauigoa (shoulder), inside linebacker Micah McFadden (neck), and left tackle Andrew Thomas (ankle). Thomas's injury designation shifted from a knee in Week 1 to an ankle.