Malik Nabers underwent another knee surgery, raising concerns about his readiness for Week 1. The New York Giants are hopeful for his return but are cautious about rushing his recovery.
Key points
Malik Nabers had another knee surgery.
He tore the ACL in his right knee.
The Giants are waiting for his return.
There is uncertainty about his readiness for Week 1.
The team is cautious about rushing his recovery.
Malik NabersJaxson DartNew York Giants
Malik Nabers has another surgery on knee, will he be ready for Week 1?
And considering they were able to play just one half of one game before Nabers tore the ACL in his right knee, the anticipation is incredibly high.
How long Dart and the Giants will have to wait for Nabers' return remains uncertain. That's especially true given the nature of Nabers' recovery. Included in that is a second "clean up" procedure for Nabers earlier this spring, not to mention the Giants' obvious desire to not rush their No. 1 wide receiver back too soon.
An individual familiar with Nabers' procedure from "multiple weeks ago" told NorthJersey.com and The Record that the Giants are still hopeful that he will be on the field at some point this summer with a target of being back in the lineup in Week 1 for the "Sunday Night Football" season opener against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on September 13.
May 9, 2026; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants rookies Arvell Reese (52), Colton Hood (12), Malachi Fields (0) and Francis Mauigoa (65) walk off the field after rookie minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
Q&A
What type of surgery did Malik Nabers have on his knee?
Malik Nabers had a second 'clean up' procedure on his knee earlier this spring.
Will Malik Nabers be ready to play in Week 1?
It remains uncertain if Malik Nabers will be ready for Week 1 due to the nature of his recovery.
How did Malik Nabers injure his knee?
Malik Nabers tore the ACL in his right knee during a game, limiting his playtime with Jaxson Dart.
What is the New York Giants' approach to Malik Nabers' recovery?
The New York Giants are cautious and do not want to rush their No. 1 wide receiver back too soon.
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May 9, 2026; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants linebacker Arvell Reese (52) participates in a drill during rookie minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
May 9, 2026; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa (65) participates in a drill during rookie minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
May 9, 2026; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Malachi Fields (0) participates in a drill during rookie minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
May 9, 2026; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants linebacker Arvell Reese (52) participates in a drill during rookie minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
May 9, 2026; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants running back Damon Bankston (37) participates in a drill during rookie minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
May 9, 2026; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants head coach Jim Harbaugh talks with running back Grant Finley (45) during in a drill at rookie minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
May 9, 2026; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants linebacker Arvell Reese (52) participates in a drill during rookie minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
May 9, 2026; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa (65) looks on during a drill at rookie minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
May 9, 2026; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa (65) participates in a drill during rookie minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
May 9, 2026; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Malachi Fields (0) participates in a drill during rookie minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
May 9, 2026; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants running back Miles Davis (27) participates in a drill during rookie minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
New York Giants rookie cornerback Colton Hood speaks to reporters after practice during rookie camp.
May 9, 2026; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants cornerback Colton Hood (12) participates in a drill during rookie minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
1 / 14
Giants hold Rookie Camp featuring Arvell Reese, Sisi Mauigoa: Photos
May 9, 2026; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants rookies Arvell Reese (52), Colton Hood (12), Malachi Fields (0) and Francis Mauigoa (65) walk off the field after rookie minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
1 / 14
Giants hold Rookie Camp featuring Arvell Reese, Sisi Mauigoa: Photos
May 9, 2026; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants rookies Arvell Reese (52), Colton Hood (12), Malachi Fields (0) and Francis Mauigoa (65) walk off the field after rookie minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
2 / 14
Giants hold Rookie Camp featuring Arvell Reese, Sisi Mauigoa: Photos
May 9, 2026; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants linebacker Arvell Reese (52) participates in a drill during rookie minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
3 / 14
Giants hold Rookie Camp featuring Arvell Reese, Sisi Mauigoa: Photos
May 9, 2026; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa (65) participates in a drill during rookie minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
4 / 14
Giants hold Rookie Camp featuring Arvell Reese, Sisi Mauigoa: Photos
May 9, 2026; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Malachi Fields (0) participates in a drill during rookie minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
5 / 14
Giants hold Rookie Camp featuring Arvell Reese, Sisi Mauigoa: Photos
May 9, 2026; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants linebacker Arvell Reese (52) participates in a drill during rookie minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
6 / 14
Giants hold Rookie Camp featuring Arvell Reese, Sisi Mauigoa: Photos
May 9, 2026; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants running back Damon Bankston (37) participates in a drill during rookie minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
7 / 14
Giants hold Rookie Camp featuring Arvell Reese, Sisi Mauigoa: Photos
May 9, 2026; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants head coach Jim Harbaugh talks with running back Grant Finley (45) during in a drill at rookie minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
8 / 14
Giants hold Rookie Camp featuring Arvell Reese, Sisi Mauigoa: Photos
May 9, 2026; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants linebacker Arvell Reese (52) participates in a drill during rookie minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
9 / 14
Giants hold Rookie Camp featuring Arvell Reese, Sisi Mauigoa: Photos
May 9, 2026; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa (65) looks on during a drill at rookie minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
10 / 14
Giants hold Rookie Camp featuring Arvell Reese, Sisi Mauigoa: Photos
May 9, 2026; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa (65) participates in a drill during rookie minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
11 / 14
Giants hold Rookie Camp featuring Arvell Reese, Sisi Mauigoa: Photos
May 9, 2026; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Malachi Fields (0) participates in a drill during rookie minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
12 / 14
Giants hold Rookie Camp featuring Arvell Reese, Sisi Mauigoa: Photos
May 9, 2026; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants running back Miles Davis (27) participates in a drill during rookie minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
13 / 14
Giants hold Rookie Camp featuring Arvell Reese, Sisi Mauigoa: Photos
New York Giants rookie cornerback Colton Hood speaks to reporters after practice during rookie camp.
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Giants hold Rookie Camp featuring Arvell Reese, Sisi Mauigoa: Photos
May 9, 2026; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants cornerback Colton Hood (12) participates in a drill during rookie minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
The Athletic first reported the latest development in Nabers' recovery. He underwent knee surgery in late October of last year, and there was always the potential of Nabers starting training camp in late July on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. That would allow the training staff to gauge his progress, and depending on his health, the Giants would not have to force Nabers to practice until he is ready.
Another source told NorthJersey.com and The Record is that optimism regarding Nabers is up in recent days, and both the Giants and the player believes he will be back to 100 percent if not by Week 1, soon after that.
What does the Giants' offense look like without Nabers?
There's no questioning Dart as the centerpiece of the Giants' offense. That was the case when the season ended, and that is the premise by which the Giants are operating as they remake the roster and the identity of this team.
Nabers is still clearly the top weapon in the Dart-led offense, and the Giants have added pieces this offseason, including tight end Isaiah Likely, who should be an asset all over the field, as well as another ascending tight end in Theo Johnson. They also signed veterans Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin III, and Darius Slayton is among the returnees.
The Giants recently drafted Notre Dame wide receiver Malachi Fields in the third round. They have also met extensively with veteran Odell Beckham Jr., who would love a return to the team that drafted him in 2014.
The Giants are not going to be able to replace Nabers, who was their leading receiver by far as a rookie with a team-record 109 receptions for 1,209 yards and seven touchdowns. There's a reason why he was being included in the same conversation as fellow LSU products Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase when talking about the best receivers in the league - and Nabers does not turn 23 until July 28.
The Harbaugh era will welcome a bit of a culture shock in terms of how the offense will operate. No one is looking to change Dart - if anything, the Giants hope to capitalize on his skill set and will build the playbook around that - but in terms of how the Giants attack schematically, it's going to be a reset.
Seemingly every significant play Dart made as a rookie this past season came from matching his mind to his physical tools. He has impressed with his instincts, an awareness of what is going to happen on the other side of the ball and the moments that call for the throws he knows he can make.
Dart has a knack for making the difficult look routine. He promised in the summer he would not be a robot, and he held firm to that during the season while also staying away from negative plays, striking a balance that has an entire organization excited about the potential of what's to come.
The Giants also drafted Sisi Mauigoa with the 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and he is slated to start at right guard next to right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor, who was a priority to re-sign this offseason.
"The good thing, one of the many great things about Jaxson Dart, is he does so many things so well," Harbaugh said. "I mean, he can live in a lot of different worlds, and if you watch the offenses that we’ve had over the last number of years, it’s built around a lot of different elements, and there’s a lot of different elements that Jaxson can play in. Power run, dropback pass, quarterback-driven stuff, RPOs, quick ball-out type of completions. He can throw the ball downfield, throw it off play action. I’m not sure what he really can’t do, you know? So we’re gonna try to live in those different worlds and see how it fits all the other guys on the offense."
