Malik Nabers was on the practice field Wednesday at the New York Giants’ training camp facility in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia — a significant moment for a player who spent most of last season sidelined. The third-year wide receiver took part in agility drills and ran a limited number of routes, but the Giants made clear they will not rush his workload.
Head coach John Harbaugh told reporters he was pleased with what he saw, describing Nabers as looking good and adding that the next step would simply be assessed day by day. Harbaugh said there is no scheduled date for Nabers to take part in a full practice, and that a definitive timeline for game readiness remains equally open. He said the priority is getting Nabers to his best possible level, however long that takes.
Nabers was not wearing a knee brace during Wednesday’s session.
Why the PUP Decision Mattered
The groundwork for Nabers’ return was laid days earlier. The Giants did not place Nabers on the Physically Unable to Perform list ahead of camp, instead reserving those spots for tight end Thomas Fidone II, defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris, and Sam Roberts. That decision was significant. A player placed on the reserve/PUP list must sit out a minimum of four regular-season games, so keeping Nabers off it signals the organisation believes he could be available early in the 2026 season.
Nabers underwent two separate surgeries to repair the torn ACL he suffered against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4 of 2025. The injury limited him to just 18 receptions for 271 yards across four appearances that season, a sharp drop from his rookie year when he set a franchise record with 109 catches for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns.
Dart and Nabers Building Chemistry Early
Quarterback Jaxson Dart has had minimal time with Nabers on the field. During the 2025 season, Dart served as the backup while Nabers worked predominantly with then-starter Russell Wilson. Dart told reporters Wednesday that getting any time with Nabers — even in a reduced capacity — is hugely valuable, noting that they have watched film together and stayed in communication throughout the offseason. The two even stayed after practice to throw together before Dart’s media session.
Dart described Nabers as obsessed with the game and praised his approach to the recovery process.
Receiver Room Has Questions Beyond Nabers
Nabers’ health is not the only storyline at wide receiver for New York. According to a report cited by Doug Rush on X, the Giants are high on rookie wideout Malachi Fields, with ESPN’s Jeff Fowler drawing comparisons to Plaxico Burress in terms of physical style. The receiver group behind Nabers remains unsettled heading into camp.
The broader picture on ACL recovery also adds context. Medical commentary circulating on X from Dr. Jesse Morse noted that ACL injuries combined with meniscus repair — the situation Nabers faced — remain among the tougher knee issues to return from, even with improved surgical techniques.
The Giants open the 2026 regular season with Nabers’ status still fluid, but his presence in West Virginia from day one is the first concrete sign that a return before the season is a realistic target.
