Indeed, the Giants made an unexpected roster move to make room for Smith-Schuster and added Berrios to New York’s revamped wide receiver depth chart alongside Odell Beckham Jr. However, Berrios’ and Smith-Schuster’s spots on the 53-man roster are far from set in stone.

According to Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post, whether Berrios and JuJu make the team could go hand in hand with whether Nabers is active or not to start the season. Although Nabers will reportedly avoid injured reserve (IR), he could still miss over a month in the 2026 NFL campaign, and that prospect plays a big role on how John Harbaugh will build his team.

“If Nabers doesn’t go on PUP, you’re cutting Berrios,” Dunleavy said during an appearance on the NY Giants Rush podcast. “Or you keep him on the practice squad, assuming that [the Giants] can. [Berrios] might say ‘somebody else will take me’.” The same logic applies to Smith-Schuster and his bid to make the team.

Giants’ WRs will compete for spots

Most NFL teams go into the season with a six-man wide receiver room. Some might carry seven, but few exceed that number. The way the Giants are trending, there may not even be a roster spot to battle for during OTAs and training camp.

Malik Nabers (unless he lands on the PUP list, which would not occupy a roster spot), Darius Slayton, Darnell Mooney, Malachi Fields, Odell Beckham Jr., and Calvin Austin all appear to be locks to make the team—barring any injuries or setbacks.

That leaves room for just one more wideout to make the 53-man roster, if that. Berrios may have an upper hand over Smith-Schuster and the rest of the team’s wide receivers because he’s equipped to play on special teams. But even that may not be enough to earn John Harbaugh’s nod. If needed, Fields and Austin could also take on that role.

Giants running out of WR spots

Roster spots don’t grow on trees. As plentiful as 53 may seem, they fill up in the blink of an eye. Before teams know it, they’re dealing with only a handful of vacancies. If the Giants choose to roll with a seven-man receiving corps, it means taking a chair away from another position group’s meeting room. And as injury-riddled as their current WR room is, there are far more vulnerable position groups across the NFL that see players go down every week.

Moreover, if the G-Men are truly confident in what they’re building on offense, they should be comfortable carrying six receivers, with Nabers potentially coming off the PUP list at some point during the season. New York stayed busy all offseason long.

It may already be too late to reverse course if the team suddenly has cold feet about how it built its roster. The season opener is more than 100 days away—that’s a fact. But just as 53 can be a deceiving number, so can 100.

NY Giants don’t have that much time

Before they know it, the Giants may be gearing up for a Sunday night showdown against the Cowboys. Whether Nabers will be on the practice field by then, nobody knows. New York certainly hopes so, but there have been few signs suggesting his recovery timeline will be met.

On the contrary, reports continue to pile up suggesting otherwise. Nabers could indeed be headed for the PUP list. It may not be the end of the world, though. At least for Berrios and Smith-Schuster, it should provide hope of making the active roster in East Rutherford. If not, they may find themselves searching for a new NFL home.

The league moves fast, and although in the offseason it doesn’t always feel that way, the clock is ticking. The Giants will have to make a crucial call soon enough.

Reporter Ryan Dunleavy from New York Post predicts Nabers will be placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list by the Giants. That would imply his season is not over, but it would force Nabers to miss at least the first month of the regular season.

While Nabers could avoid injured reserve (IR), NFL rules determine that players on the PUP list must be sidelined for a minimum of four regular season games. Dunleavy went as far as to suggest Nabers could miss New York’s first six games of the 2026 campaign

Giants remain hopeful

New York’s staff is targeting Nabers’ return for Week 1 of 2026 against the Dallas Cowboys. However, the Giants did make an unexpected roster move to add JuJu Smith-Schuster. Furthermore, they bolstered their wide receiver depth chart with Odell Beckham Jr. and Braxton Berrios.

The cards are on the table, and they could very well indicate that Nabers’ recovery will take longer than originally expected. New York is holding on to hope, even as all signs suggest it should reconsider its approach. Only time will tell, but with every OTA and practice Nabers misses as he works his way back, the buzz will only grow louder and the speculation more rampant.

NY Giants addressed injuries

The Giants have brought in several pieces to help offset the injury bug at wide receiver, but not one of them comes close—at least on paper—to matching Nabers’ impact on the lineup. Ahead of a crucial season for first-year head coach John Harbaugh in the Big Apple and second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart, the Giants may find themselves without their No. 1 receiver for an extended period.

The worst part, however, may be that New York isn’t being entirely honest and transparent—not with its fans, and perhaps not with itself. The evidence continues to pile up, pointing to a longer absence for Nabers, yet the G-Men seem determined to turn a blind eye to it. In the long run, that strategy is bound to backfire

The situation regarding his knee health still remains uncertain. Although reports out of East Rutherford suggest confidence in seeing the WR available for Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys, the coach remains cautious and expectant about the situation.

“I’m told [Nabers] has been a fixture in the building. He’s been trying to rehab that thing. The Giants don’t quite know yet whether he’s going to be ready for training camp or when,” the insider Jeremy Fowler reported Saturday on ESPN.

“The hope is still Week 1, but that is not a guarantee. John Harbaugh, the head coach, said this week that it’s just a tricky injury because he had that second surgery, dealing with some of that scar tissue, cleaning that up, and so they like where he is trending, but it’s just one of those situations where they don’t know when he’s going to get on the field.”

A before and after for Malik Nabers

Malik Nabers suffered a season-ending torn ACL and meniscus during a Week 4 victory against the Los Angeles Chargers last 2025 season, after landing awkwardly during a deep-pass attempt in the second quarter. Following an initial surgery in late October, Nabers underwent a second minor “clean-up” procedure early this offseason to remove scar tissue that was causing stiffness in his right knee.

He is currently working hard every day in the facility through the “grind” of his rehabilitation, and while the Giants remain hopeful that he can return in time for training camp or the Week 1 opener against the Dallas Cowboys, his exact recovery timeline remains uncertain.

Different options for John Harbaugh in the WR room

It is well known everything Malik Nabers can bring to the New York Giants offense, and how much Jaxson Dart’s numbers could be affected without him on the field. The good news for John Harbaugh and the rest of the Giants is that they still have several high-level options capable of breaking down opposing defenses through the air.

Early challenges for New York

• Week 1, vs Dallas Cowboys (SNF)
• Week 2, at Los Angeles Rams (MNF)
• Week 3, vs Tennessee Titans
• Week 4, vs Arizona Cardinals
• Week 5, at Washington Commanders

Injuries are a part of the league. Every team deals with them year in and year out. It is how one bounces back from those setbacks that truly matters and ultimately decides NFL seasons. Nabers‘ recovery from a torn ACL and meniscus is no different. The Giants are making no excuses for themselves. Instead, they can use it as an opportunity to develop their third-round pick even faster.

“With injuries to Nabers and Slayton, Fields will get a lot of work with the first-team offense this offseason,” as reported on Giants Now. “It’s a great opportunity for him to get extra work with Jaxson Dart. A lot of times rookies don’t get to work with the starting quarterback. Good stuff that Fields and Dart are starting to build that chemistry and continuity.”

NY Giants have exciting rookie on Fields

Selected with the 74th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Giants have always been high on the Virginia transfer coming out of Notre Dame. New York does not expect him to become the No. 1 target for Dart—at least not on paper—but the G-Men hope that Fields can become a reliable option right from the get-go.

With their top two wideouts sidelined to start OTAs, the rookie could get an early chance to showcase his abilities and establish himself in John Harbaugh’s offense. As it stands, the top three pass-catching options for the Giants to start OTAs are newcomers to the roster: Darnell Mooney, Malachi Fields, and TE Isaiah Likely. Thus, New York could get a very early preview of what it paid for during the offseason.

Giants find silver lining

Provided both Nabers and Slayton are fully healthy for Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys, their absences may turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Although everybody is settling in onto Harbaugh’s new system, these early practices are even more important for Fields and the new players in the Big Apple.

Who knows? Maybe Big Blue will not miss Nabers and Slayton too much during the opening days of camp. By the time the 2026 NFL regular season rolls around, however, that will be a different story. And the Giants will need all hands on deck, especially the old reliable pairs of Nabers and Slayton.

Fields’ stats in college

New York saw something in Fields during his days in Charlottesville and South Bend. It’s all about exploiting it in the NFL. If his numbers are any showing, however, the Giants should be in a good place to start off.

Last season, Fields caught 36 passes for 630 yards (17.5 average) and five touchdowns. Though it was his lowest catches total in a full college season, he still matched his career-best for TDs. In fact, Fields has caught five touchdown passes in all of his last three campaigns. All in all, he closed out his collegiate career with a total of 165 catches, 2,479 yards, and 16 touchdowns.

“I think that if John Harbaugh feels Odell Beckham Jr can give them something, they would have made a move by now,” Patricia Traina of Sports Illustrated said. “The Giants feel they have enough at the position… They’re going to be patient.”

Nabers‘ second surgery, though dubbed a “clean-up procedure,” does indeed cast doubt on his availability to start the season. But the Giants are sticking to their plan despite Nabers’ setback, and that includes the way they go about their business with Odell. New York believes its wide receiver room is strong enough as is, and frankly, the recent version of Beckham Jr. doesn’t sound as exciting once nostalgia is cast aside.

NY Giants are in control

Contrary to past offseason storylines, the Giants have all the leverage in talks with Beckham Jr., whose last NFL appearance came in December 2024. New York is in full control, and whatever decision it lands on, it will be made following a thorough review.

With such an injury-plagued history, consistently declining production, and limited appearances, it’s virtually impossible for Odell to reverse his situation. There seemingly appears to be no way for New York to find the shoe on the other foot. The G-Men are in complete control, and it doesn’t look like that’s going to change, making a potential reunion all the more difficult.

That is taking into account John Harbaugh’s appreciation for Beckham Jr. and the impact such a signing could have on the Giants’ brand off the gridiron. Unfortunately, that may be as far as it goes on New York’s pros and cons list.

Odell’s returns looks unlikely

When considering strictly football, however, there seems to be no role available for the veteran wideout in East Rutherford. Perhaps, if injuries take an even bigger toll on the lineup, New York will revisit its decision and retrace its steps. For the time being, it looks like Odell’s return to New York City isn’t on the menu.

The Giants are in no rush, but the fact they are taking their sweet time is a strong indicator. As the report noted, if New York truly wanted him back, most signs suggest he’d already be a Giant by now.

In more ways than one, the prospect of Beckham Jr. returning to town years after his departure for Cleveland and finding success sounds too good to be true. And if the Giants have learned anything from living in the City That Never Sleeps, it’s that such plots tend to do better on Broadway than they do at MetLife Stadium.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a healthy dose of 12, 13, and 22 personnel sets this season, regardless of Nabers’ status,” according to Patricia Traina of Sports Illustrated.

Despite the G-Men’s effort to tone it down, there is a growing fear in New York that Nabers may not be fully healthy for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season. Even if Nabers is cleared to play, some are skeptical about throwing him into action against Caleb Downs and the Dallas Cowboys. The campaign is long, and the Giants can’t risk their No. 1 target.

Whether Nabers is in or out of the lineup, Harbaugh is expected to experiment with different personnel, and favor tight end-heavy formations. If Nabers is out of the lineup, such plays could become even more common for Jaxson Dart’s offense.

John Harbaugh’s offense

Harbaugh’s offensive tendencies have become common knowledge around the NFL. His offenses are physical and tend to pound the rock until defenses are worn out. Back in Baltimore, Harbaugh had Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson in the backfield, but the tight ends played a crucial role, even when it flew under the radar.

Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely put the Ravens in an ideal situation to emphasize 12 and 22 personnel, and it’s no wonder Harbaugh brought Likely with him to the Big Apple. Not only does the tight end give Dart a top target—with an even bigger role if Nabers isn’t at 100%—but he is also a presence at the line of scrimmage and can line up virtually anywhere on the field.

Likely joins Theo Johnson, who had strong production in 2025, and the duo could share the field more often than not in Harbaugh’s offense. As for the running backs room, New York has a tank in Cam Skattebo and more versatile options in Devin Singletary and Tyrone Tracy. Thus, utilizing 22 personnel could allow the Giants to get the best of both worlds.

NY Giants could thrive in 12, 22 personnel

For years, the G-Men’s offense has lacked a true identity. Drafting Nabers assured they got a bona fide elite No. 1 wideout. Dart’s arrival gave them mobility, high-danger opportunities on every single snap, and the flair fit for a team in New York’s market. Skattebo is the running back coaches love and opponents fear.

Harbaugh may be the final piece needed for the Giants to construct their true identity. The signing of Likely confirmed Harbaugh is bringing what worked for him in Charm City to the City That Never Sleeps.

Even with offseason setbacks and concerns, the outlook is good for the Giants. The sky may be the limit for them, but if the skyscraper city is any indication, there is reason to believe even that can be defied.

“The Giants also could be waiting to see how Malik Nabers (knee) and Darius Slayton (core muscle) progress off surgery this spring and into the summer. Beckham would be fighting for a roster spot if he were to be signed but has made clear his desire to return to the Giants. It has a segment of the fanbase clamoring for his return.”

The situation has become much more intriguing after Malik Nabers underwent a second knee surgery earlier this offseason. While optimism remains that the wide receiver could be ready for Week 1, the Giants are expected to be extremely cautious with his recovery timeline.

Odell Beckham Jr. could still emerge as Giants option

That uncertainty could eventually create a pathway for Odell Beckham Jr. to re-enter the picture, especially considering New York’s current need for veteran depth at wide receiver.

Although the Giants added Darnell Mooney, Calvin Austin III, and rookie Malachi Fields, Beckham would still bring familiarity, experience, and instant chemistry with the franchise and fanbase.

Another important factor is Darius Slayton’s own recovery after surgery, leaving the Giants with multiple health-related questions at the position entering the summer. If injuries continue lingering deeper into training camp, Beckham could quickly become a much more realistic option.

For Beckham, the desire to return has never really disappeared. The veteran has repeatedly expressed affection for the organization and clearly understands how meaningful a reunion would be for many Giants fans.

At this point, the Giants are not rushing toward a signing. But with growing uncertainty surrounding the health of key receivers, the possibility of OBJ wearing a Giants uniform again suddenly no longer feels impossible.

“My understanding is that the second procedure was about three or four weeks ago. Still optimism that he’s going to be ready for Week 1. You never want to hear about your star player having one knee surgery, much less two, but it doesn’t seem like the alarms are going off yet with Malik Nabers.”

The update is extremely important for the Giants considering Nabers remains one of the central pieces of the offense led by Jaxson Dart. While they’re expected to take a very cautious approach throughout the offseason, the belief inside the building still appears to be that Nabers can return in time for the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys.

Giants still optimistic Malik Nabers will face Cowboys in Week 1

Even though optimism remains, the situation has undeniably created uncertainty around the Giants’ offense heading into training camp. Nabers is expected to miss most offseason activities and possibly portions of the preseason while continuing his recovery process.

That uncertainty helps explain why New York aggressively addressed the receiver position during free agency and the draft. The Giants added veterans Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin III while also selecting Malachi Fields to improve depth around Jaxson Dart.

Still, losing Nabers for any significant amount of time would be a massive blow for the offense. The young receiver quickly became one of the NFL’s most dangerous playmakers, and his chemistry with Dart was expected to become one of the biggest storylines of the season.

For now, however, the Giants appear determined to avoid panic. And according to Pelissero’s latest update, they still believe their superstar receiver has a realistic chance to be on the field when New York opens the season against Dallas in primetime.

“Reported back in February that Malik Nabers had a full meniscus repair in addition to the ACL. It’s not an easy recovery and he needed a second procedure, as Dan Duggan said. The Giants are still hopeful he can return Week 1, per source. Still some four months until the opener.”

The update has immediately sparked new rumors and uncertainty regarding Nabers’ availability for the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. Although the Giants remain optimistic about his recovery timeline, the second surgery confirmed in a previous report by Dan Duggan clearly adds another layer of concern to a situation that already required careful management.

Malik Nabers’ absence would be massive blow for Giants offense

The Giants did spend much of the offseason preparing additional depth at wide receiver. During free agency, they added names like Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin III, while the front office also selected Malachi Fields during the 2026 NFL Draft.

Those moves now look even more important considering the uncertainty surrounding Nabers. Still, replacing the impact of the young WR would be nearly impossible for New York’s offense.

Nabers was expected to become the centerpiece of the offense and one of the primary weapons for quarterback Jaxson Dart during his second NFL season. Losing him, even temporarily, would represent a devastating and unexpected setback for an offense already entering a critical transition period.

For now, the Giants continue hoping Nabers can return in time for Week 1. But after the latest medical update, it is clear they will take an extremely cautious approach with one of the franchise’s most important players.

While they still hope Nabers will eventually be ready for the start of the regular season, there is no longer complete certainty that he will be available for Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys.

The latest procedure is also expected to force the Giants into a highly cautious approach throughout the offseason. Nabers will likely miss most offseason activities and potentially significant portions of training camp as the team prioritizes his long-term health rather than rushing him back onto the field.

What happened with Malik Nabers?

Malik Nabers had another procedure on his knee and that may also explain several of New York’s aggressive offseason moves at the skill positions. Doug Rush pointed out that the Giants were already preparing for a scenario where Nabers might not immediately return at full strength.

“Which is why they traded up for Malachi Fields and added Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin III, plus Isaiah Likely, to go with Isaiah Hodgins and Darius Slayton. Malik Nabers is important, but they have to ease him back in given the severity of that injury.”

Giants preparing for cautious Malik Nabers return

The concern surrounding Malik Nabers appears to be growing internally as well. Repoter Ryan Dunleavy recently suggested the Giants had already begun lowering expectations regarding the receiver’s participation during the early stages of training camp before news of the second surgery surfaced.

“Giants have been less forceful on Malik Nabers participating in early training camp lately. Could explain why (the second surgery).” The situation creates a major challenge for the Giants offense heading into a crucial season for Jaxson Dart.

Nabers was expected to become the centerpiece of the passing attack, but the Giants may now have to rely much more heavily on their newly assembled supporting cast early in the season.

Even if Nabers ultimately returns for Week 1, the Giants are clearly preparing to manage his workload carefully. After investing heavily in their young star receiver, they are determined to avoid any setbacks that could jeopardize his future availability long term.

“Its impossible to know where [Nabers] is at without seeing him or talking to him. Not even sure Giants know until he can test it more. But I’d put Week 1 in doubt,” Ryan Dunleavy from New York Post wrote on his X account.

The Giants hold a bad memory about playing the Cowboys on primetime in Week 1, as they suffered a 40-0 defeat the last time it happened in 2023. Needless to say, if Nabers isn’t cleared to play in opening week of the 2026 NFL season, the climb becomes even steeper for John Harbaugh and company.

Nabers could play away from 100%

Even if Nabers is cleared to play and suits up for the Sunday Night Football showdown against Dallas at MetLife Stadium, New York may still be taking a risk. By this point, the Giants likely hoped Nabers would be on advanced stages of his post-surgery rehab, but the fact he was dealing with stiffness raises alarms.

“Holding out hope he’ll be ready by Week 1. But at this point, even if he’s out there by Week 1, it won’t be his best version,” Anthony Rivardo of Empire Sports Media stated.

Coming off a torn ACL and meniscus—which has reportedly required two surgeries, even if the latest was described as a “cleanup” procedure—there is legitimate reason for concern surrounding his availability. More importantly, the G-Men are not going to risk their star wide receiver re-aggravating his troubled knee.

Nabers-Dart duo may have to wait

When looking at the Giants’ offense, two names stand a peg above the rest: Jaxson Dart and Malik Nabers. In the eyes of the Big Apple, they are the duo capable of taking Big Blue to the promised land. However, their combined impact could almost be considered a “Mandela Effect” in the NFL.

Dart and Nabers have actually shared the field for less than a game—less than a half, in fact. The two started during the Giants’ 21-18 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4, but Nabers was carted off the field in the second quarter after suffering the non-contact, season-ending knee injury. As a result, Dart and Nabers connected on just two completions for 20 yards before their season together came to an abrupt halt.

Needless to say, they are entering the new campaign with sky-high expectations and eager to make up for lost time. Whether they will get the chance to do so beginning in Week 1 against America’s Team remains to be seen. As things stand, both sides of the argument carry weight. The Giants continue to stand by their timeline, but recent reports may suggest their projections were wrong—whether they care to admit it or not.