Malik Nabers news
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The gist
Giants list WR Malik Nabers as questionable for Sunday night vs. the Cowboys.
Nabers says the call is his, making his knee the opener's biggest unknown.
Background
Nabers tore his ACL and meniscus in Week 4 last season and had surgery on Oct. 28, then rehabbed through the offseason. He needed a second "clean-up" procedure to remove scar tissue that was causing stiffness, but the Giants kept him off the physically unable to perform list at the start of training camp so they could build up his workload gradually. He has said he doesn't want to return until he can play a full game without knee limitations.
How it unfolded
- late September 2025Nabers tore his ACL and meniscus in Week 4 of last season.
- Oct 28, 2025Nabers underwent surgery and has been rehabbing since.
- Aug 15, 2026Nabers was on the field before the Giants' game against the Minnesota Vikings at MetLife Stadium.
- Aug 17, 2026Nabers returned to full-speed team drills.
- Aug 31, 2026Nabers last spoke publicly, saying his focus was being "healthy enough to play all four quarters" when he returns.
- Sep 9, 2026Head coach John Harbaugh said after Nabers was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, "I think he's ready to go."
- Sep 10, 2026Nabers said the decision on whether he plays the opener ultimately rests with him and that missing the game is a possibility.
- Sep 11, 2026The Giants listed Nabers as questionable for Sunday night's game vs. the Cowboys after he was a full participant in practice all week.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Head coach John Harbaugh said Nabers is "ready to go" but added it is still four days until the game and that Nabers will play if he is ready and feels ready.
- Player
- Nabers said the team is "leaving the decision up" to him, that missing the game is a possibility, and that "it's my career and it's my body."
- Caution
- Nabers said he has waited a long time to return but "can't put my career at risk," and earlier in the offseason said he doesn't want to play until he can go a full game without knee limitations.
Still unverified
Nobody seems to know for sure whether Nabers will play Sunday night; the team isn't saying anything definitive and official word isn't expected until closer to kickoff. The late kickoff could leave fantasy managers hoping to start him in a tough spot, though more updates are expected before the 1 pm ET games Sunday.