Malik Nabers of the New York Giants is a top contender for the 2026 AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year award after a strong rookie season in 2024, where he recorded 1,204 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. He missed the 2025 season due to an ACL injury.
Key points
Malik Nabers is a wide receiver for the New York Giants.
He recorded 1,204 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 2024.
Nabers missed the 2025 season due to a torn ACL.
He is a leading contender for the 2026 Comeback Player of the Year award.
New York GiantsMalik Nabers
Giants' Malik Nabers among favorites for 2026 Comeback Player of the Year Award
It's hard to conceive of a situation in which New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers will not contend for the 2026 AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year award this coming season, assuming he stays healthy.
Nabers was sensational as a rookie for the Giants in 2024. The LSU product recorded 1,204 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns that season. He began his career at a historic pace but was sidelined for the final 13 games of the 2025 season after tearing his ACL.
As the Giants work through the early portion of their offseason program, Nabers is positioned as one of the leading contenders for the Comeback Player of the Year award in 2026.
Dallas Cowboys (home, away)
Washington Commanders (home, away)
Philadelphia Eagles (home, away)
Q&A
What were Malik Nabers' stats during his rookie season with the Giants?
In his rookie season in 2024, Malik Nabers recorded 1,204 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns.
Why did Malik Nabers miss the 2025 NFL season?
Malik Nabers missed the entire 2025 season due to a torn ACL injury.
Who are the favorites for the 2026 Comeback Player of the Year award?
Malik Nabers is among the favorites for the 2026 AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year award, especially if he remains healthy.
What is the significance of the Comeback Player of the Year award in the NFL?
The Comeback Player of the Year award recognizes an NFL player who has shown exceptional performance after recovering from a significant injury or setback.
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With at least 150 targets expected, another 1,000-yard season appears well within reach for the 22-year-old. His 1,204 receiving yards as a rookie came on 170 targets, and he was on pace to exceed 1,100 receiving yards in 2025 before the injury. He also increased his yards per reception from 11.1 as a rookie to 15.1 last season.
More targets paired with a higher yards-per-reception average should translate to even greater success for Nabers. It is also reasonable to expect him to emerge as a higher-volume receiver next season. Could he reach 1,400 yards? Or even 1,500? His health will ultimately decide that.
Nevertheless, if he produces at that level alongside receivers such as Amon-Ra St. Brown and George Pickens, Nabers will put significant pressure on Mahomes, the likely favorite to win the 2026 Comeback Player of the Year award.
