Nabers offers honest assessment of recovery

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers said he feels good as the team approaches the 2026 NFL season, but he stopped short of committing to playing in the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys.

"I feel pretty good. I feel real good to be honest," Nabers said on Monday, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN. "Like I said, you're going to feel good but there's still some things that you're going to have to check off the box for you to participate. So I'm still going through that, still listening to the trainer, still listening to doctors and sharing everything with them."

Nabers is coming off a torn ACL that he suffered in Week 4 of the 2025 season. He has been practicing in team drills throughout the summer and in training camp, and the Giants recently took him out of the red no-contact jersey.

When asked about his status for the season opener against Dallas, Nabers said, "My mind is focused on playing the regular season, playing whenever that is and playing what team it is. I'm going to be making sure that I'm ready to go out there and I'm healthy enough to play all four quarters. The main focus is just trying to be out there as much as I can."

He also acknowledged that returning to elite form may take time. "Will it take some time? Who knows?" he said. "But I know for sure if I'm out there, I'm going to run some routes."

Nabers expressed optimism about his physical condition but stressed the importance of not rushing his recovery. "I feel really good, to be honest. But you're going to feel good, but there are still some things that you still have to check off the box for you to participate," he said. "So, I'm still going through that, still listening to the trainers, still listening to doctors and sharing everything with them."

When specifically asked about potentially playing in the team's regular season opener, Nabers said, "That would be a decision that would be made when that time comes."

Looking ahead to Week 1

The Giants will face the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football in Week 1. Nabers' availability for that game remains uncertain, as he wants to ensure he can play all four quarters without limitations.

"My mind is focused on playing the regular season. Playing whenever that is. Playing what[ever] team that is," he said. "I'm going to be making sure that I'm ready to go out there and I'm healthy enough to play all four quarters and that nobody's got to make sure I'm not in on every play or they have to make sure I got enough snaps to play or my snaps are limited."

Nabers will align next to former Giants Pro Bowl wide receiver Odell Beckham , who is now with the team. Nabers said of Beckham, "Just for him being here right now, in the same room as me, it's surreal." He also mentioned that Beckham expressed enthusiasm about playing alongside him.

Nabers' track record

As a rookie out of LSU, Nabers caught 109 passes for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns. Last season in just four games, he caught 18 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns.