Malik Nabers takes key step in return, but Harbaugh stops short of guaranteeing Week 1

Malik Nabers, the New York Giants' wide receiver, practiced without a red non-contact jersey on Monday for the first time this summer, a notable milestone in his recovery from a torn ACL. Nabers participated in 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 drills, showing off the sharp cuts and route-running that defined his rookie season. He made several catches, though one pass slipped through his hands, according to multiple reports.

Head coach John Harbaugh acknowledged the progress but was cautious about declaring Nabers ready for the regular-season opener against the Dallas Cowboys. "I don’t want to make any kind of statements like that," Harbaugh said when asked if Nabers was trending toward being available for Week 1. "I think it’s reasonable to assume that. Those are all things to assume based on watching him practice. The only thing I know more than you guys do is what the trainers and doctors tell me about his rehab, and he’s doing really well with it. He’s strong, in a good place. How he gets through practice and how ready he is to play and protect himself is really based on practice."

Harbaugh added that Nabers was "probably moving the best we've seen him look," a comment that echoed the optimism surrounding the 2024 first-round pick. Nabers tore his right ACL and sustained meniscus damage in Week 4 last season, missing the remainder of his rookie campaign after posting 1,204 yards in 15 games.

Monday's session was not fully padded, and Nabers did not take contact. According to Harbaugh, the next step is for Nabers to experience live contact for the first time, which is anticipated to happen Tuesday when the Giants are in pads. "It'll be a protect each other kind of deal, but that'll be true for everybody right now," Harbaugh said. "We'll be in this mode this week; we'll be a little more, as far as the contact part of it, probably a little more in-season-ish in terms of taking care of one another."

Harbaugh emphasized that he does not want Nabers to jump from no contact to full contact at the start of the season, signaling a gradual ramp-up. Nabers himself spoke about his mindset last week, saying his "soul has been dead for so long" and that the "dog" in him is waking up, though he is not expected to play in the Giants' final preseason game against the Jets.

Elsewhere in camp, tight end Theo Johnson collided with Kayvon Thibodeaux during practice and appeared shaken up, though no further details were provided. Harbaugh also mentioned that offensive linemen Jermaine Eluemunor and Mauigoa should return to practice Tuesday.

The Giants will host the Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 13 at 8:20 p.m. ET, a game that now appears more likely to feature Nabers, albeit with the coaching staff's typical caution.