Giants hopeful for Nabers’ Week 1 return following second knee procedure

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers has undergone a second surgical procedure on his right knee earlier this offseason, a development that has extended his rehabilitation timeline. The operation, described as a "cleanup" procedure, was conducted to remove scar tissue that had caused stiffness following a torn anterior cruciate ligament sustained in September.

According to sources confirmed to ESPN, the Giants remain hopeful that Nabers will be ready for Week 1 of the National Football League season. The team is scheduled to open their campaign on 13 September with a Sunday Night Football matchup against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium. This target represents a significant shift from the club’s initial optimism at the start of the year, when they believed Nabers would be prepared for the beginning of training camp in late July.

The complexity of Nabers’ recovery has been compounded by the nature of his initial injury. The original surgery was performed on 28 October by Dr Daniel E Cooper, a renowned knee specialist and the Dallas Cowboys team physician. In February, Nabers reported that, in addition to the ACL tear, he had undergone a full meniscus repair, a procedure that typically extends the duration of rehabilitation. He has experienced knee stiffness throughout his recovery, having been observed walking with a hands-free crutch in January.

The injury has disrupted the trajectory of Nabers’ career, which began with a record-breaking rookie season in 2024. Selected sixth overall out of LSU, he caught 109 passes for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns. Prior to his injury in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers, he had recorded 18 catches for 271 yards and two touchdowns in his sophomore season. His 127 receptions through the first 19 games of his career rank second in NFL history for most receptions through 20 games, trailing only Odell Beckham Jr.

In response to the uncertainty surrounding Nabers’ availability, the Giants have reshaped their wide receiver corps this offseason. The team lost leading receiver Wan’Dale Robinson to the Tennessee Titans in free agency, while adding Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin III. They also traded up to select former Notre Dame standout Malachi Fields in the third round of the draft. Veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has worked out with the team in recent weeks, and teammate Darius Slayton recently underwent core muscle surgery but is expected to be ready for training camp.