Malik Nabers Impresses at Giants Training Camp

Malik Nabers has impressed New York Giants fans at the training camp. After an offseason filled with mystery about his readiness for Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys on “Sunday Night Football,” Nabers has shown great promise on the field. On Monday, head coach John Harbaugh offered an encouraging update on the rookie receiver’s condition.

Harbaugh mentioned, “It’s reasonable to assume” that Nabers is progressing well toward being available from the start of the season. This is a positive sign for the wide receiver who suffered a torn right ACL and meniscus damage in Week 4 of last year.

Nabers, the first-round pick for the Giants in 2024, practiced without a red non-contact jersey on Monday. Harbaugh noted that Nabers was “probably moving the best we’ve seen him look,” as he participated in 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 drills wearing a regular white jersey. Harbaugh believes contact with defenders during practice might benefit Nabers.

“Those are all kind of things that you assume,” Harbaugh stated about Nabers’ potential Week 1 availability. “It’s just based on watching the guy practice. The only thing I know more than you guys know is what the docs and the trainers tell me. And that’s doing well. He’s doing really well with that.”

While it wasn’t a fully padded practice, seeing Nabers without a non-contact jersey aligns with Harbaugh’s plan for the team’s top pass-catching option. He wants to gradually reintroduce Nabers to contact.

Nabers expressed his eagerness, saying last week that “my soul has been dead for so long,” reflecting his desire to return to the field. His positive trend since the first training camp practice has been noticeable to fans because of his excellent movement through routes.

It’s not expected that Nabers will play in the Giants’ final preseason game against the New York Jets. There will be no joint practices, so his journey to Week 1 will continue within his team. The former LSU player’s progress has checked off multiple boxes for Harbaugh.

“I thought he looked good. Look at the tape later, but he was moving well,” Harbaugh commented after practice.

Nabers and quarterback Jaxson Dart have already shown strong chemistry. However, Dart, the 2025 draft choice from Ole Miss, only shared one quarter on the field with Nabers before his knee injury.

Fans eagerly await what Dart, who had 24 total touchdowns in 14 games last season, and Nabers, who accumulated 1,204 yards in 15 games during his rookie year in 2024, can accomplish in a full 17-game season.

The Giants are set to face the Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on September 13 in a primetime matchup at 8:20 p.m. ET.