“New York Giants star outside linebacker Brian Burns tore the lateral meniscus in his right knee, in addition to tearing his ACL, according to league and team sources,” as reported on The Athletic by Dan Duggan. “Burns is scheduled to undergo surgery to repair both injuries Oct. 1.”

Not only did Nabers suffer the same two injuries last season, the Giants’ WR1 was also injured at MetLife Stadium early in the year. While Burns has been ruled out for the season after getting injured in Week 3, Nabers missed virtually the same amount of time after being injured in Week 4 of the 2025 NFL campaign.

Another season-ending injury in New York

As soon as Burns went down grabbing his right knee, fans in the stands and at home turned away from the action, fearing this scenario. Once again, the artificial turf at MetLife Stadium was found at the crime scene and deemed guilty on the spot.

Judging by Nabers’ lengthy and, as he admitted, mentally testing time away from the field and rehabbing, Burns might be in for a similar journey going into 2027. Nabers was a game-time decision for Week 1 this year, so a similar fate could await Burns next season. Still, that’s all a long way into the future.

Burns could be in for ups and downs in injury rehab

Moreover, Nabers underwent a second surgery in the offseason to remove scar tissue that was causing him stiffness in his right knee. Whether something similar might also happen to Burns, there’s no telling until the Giants cross that bridge, and for the time being, it’s the last thing on their mind.

Still, being without their best pass rusher and a veteran presence on and off the field, in addition to losing Jaxson Dart, it’s safe to say the start to the season hasn’t been kind to John Harbaugh’s Giants. Yet, calm seas never made a good sailor, and it might all be the perfect storm for New York to test its sails.

Key takeaways

• Brian Burns tore his lateral meniscus and ACL in his right knee.
• The injury occurred during a Week 3 game at MetLife Stadium.
• Malik Nabers missed extended time after suffering the same injury in Week 4 of 2025.

However, Nabers has made progress throughout the week and appears ready to return to the field. His participation in practice has provided encouraging signs for the Giants, who need their top offensive weapon available as Jameis Winston takes over at quarterback following Jaxson Dart’s injury.

The Giants have received positive news regarding Nabers’ recovery, as the receiver was a full participant in both Thursday and Friday’s practices. That development suggests he has overcome the issue that threatened to keep him out of the game, putting him in position to play against Tennessee.

Is Malik Nabers injured with NY Giants?

Malik Nabers does not have an injury designation on the Giants’ final game status report, meaning he is expected to be available against Tennessee. After being listed as a full participant in Thursday and Friday’s practices, the receiver appears to have avoided any complications that could prevent him from playing.

The Giants will need Nabers to be a major part of their offensive game plan against the Titans. With Winston taking over as the starting quarterback, establishing a connection with the team’s top receiver will be especially important as New York adjusts to life without Dart. Nabers’ ability to create separation and make plays downfield could provide Winston with a reliable target.

For now, all indications point toward Nabers being available in Week 3. His recovery from the shoulder injury is encouraging news for the Giants, who will look to get their offense back on track against Tennessee. Unless an unexpected setback occurs before kickoff, the wide receiver is expected to play. Furthermore, there was no setback about his knee injury recovery.

Key takeaways

• Malik Nabers expected to play in Week 3 against Titans despite shoulder injury.
• Full participant in Thursday and Friday practices without injury designation.
• Jameis Winston takes over at quarterback following Jaxson Dart’s injury.

Nabers missed most of the 2025 season after suffering a torn ACL, leaving the Giants without one of their most important offensive weapons. The wide receiver understands the physical and emotional challenges that come with an injury, which is why hearing about Dart’s situation was particularly difficult for him. The two players had developed a strong connection, making the quarterback’s absence another setback for a team already dealing with adversity.

Speaking to reporters, Nabers addressed Dart’s injury and explained how he plans to support his teammate during the recovery process. The Giants receiver also discussed the upcoming adjustment to Winston, who is known for his willingness to take chances downfield and give his receivers opportunities to make big plays.

Malik Nabers opens up about Jaxson Dart injury

When asked what it was like to hear about Dart’s injury, Malik Nabers immediately expressed his sympathy for the young quarterback, recognizing that he understands what Dart is going through after experiencing a similar situation himself.

“Takes a breath out of you for sure. Just feel for him. I’ve been in that position too. So, I know what he’s going through. I know what he’s thinking. So, just trying to be there for him like he was there for me.”

Nabers also addressed the upcoming connection with Winston, whose aggressive approach to passing could create opportunities for the Giants’ receiving corps. The veteran quarterback has built a reputation for trusting his receivers and giving them chances to make difficult catches, something Nabers believes can benefit the offense.

“Of course. I mean, he believes in his receivers to go make the plays for him. And we plan out to do that. And when the opportunity comes, you’ve just got to go ahead and snatch the opportunity. The fact that he gives us opportunity, that means he believes in the good work that you put in in practice. He believes that you’re going to make the play for him, and I trust that, he trusts me, so we’ll make the play.”

Key takeaways

• Jaxson Dart’s season-ending knee injury forces the NY Giants to start Jameis Winston.
• Malik Nabers missed most of 2025 after suffering a torn ACL.
• Winston’s aggressive style gives wide receivers opportunities to make big plays downfield.

The Giants removed Nabers from the injury report, which puts him on track to start vs. Titans, indicating he overcame his shoulder issue suffered in Week 2. Nabers is the clear-cut WR1 of the team, so it’s positive news.

Jameis Winston delivered a strong message as the new Giants QB, but for Winston to succeed, then he needs Nabers to step up. Winston usually throws caution to the wind, but Nabers could bail him out in 50/50 passes.

Nabers is the homerun receiver, but who is Winston’s safety net?

Jameis Winston loves to launch his passes. Hence, he usually tends to be a ‘go-big-or-go-home‘ kind of quarterback. Still, he needs a bit more help, a safety blanket. That guy is tight end Isaiah Likely.

Through two weeks, he leads the Giants in both targets and receptions. In fact, he has as much receptions as Malik Nabers has targets. If Winston plays smart, Likely should be in for a big role.

Winston’s stats since joining the NY Giants

Winston joined the Giants last season, but he got a new contract to keep him as a G-Men a few weeks back. He has played four games, starting two, in which he has completed 48 out of 93 passes (51.6%) for 678 yards and two touchdowns. However, in classic Jameis Winston fashion, he also has more interceptions (3).

Key takeaways

• Malik Nabers was removed from the injury report and is cleared to play in Week 3.
• Tight end Isaiah Likely currently leads the team in both targets and receptions through two weeks.
• Quarterback Jameis Winston has thrown three interceptions in four total appearances with the team.

Finally, Nabers returned to the field, put his helmet on, and ran back out onto the field. He is officially back in action, though close attention will remain on his status in case he continues to deal with shoulder pain.

Nabers’ return is massive, but the Giants must start considering their wide receiver depth chart and backups, knowing that one of their starters could suffer a damaging injury. As a result, New York will remain watchful while also anticipating the involvement of Odell Beckham.

How Nabers suffered the hit

Malik tried to make a contested catch while being covered by Rams cornerback Trent McDuffie. Immediately after the play, Nabers put his left hand over the area between his bicep and shoulder.

It is worth remembering that Nabers returned to action in Week 1 after suffering a torn ACL in his knee last September. It was uncertain whether he would play in the opener until pregame warmups. He caught six passes for 69 yards against the Cowboys. He had one catch for one yard against the Rams before his return for the Giants.

It has been a difficult start to Week 2 for Harbaugh, considering the injury alongside the status of Dart, who suffered a hit to his knee following a heavy collision.

The Giants’ offense, of course, is largely built around Dart, the second-year quarterback, and Nabers, the third-year wide receiver. They played less than half a game together in the 2025 NFL season. For the moment, they still struggle to establish that continuity.

Key takeaways

• Malik Nabers returned to the game following an evaluation for a shoulder injury.
• Six catches for 69 yards were logged in Week 1 after ACL recovery.
• Jaxson Dart exited to the locker room after taking a hit to his knee.

However, when Nabers went back and reviewed his performance, he saw several opportunities that he believes he left on the field. The Giants receiver admitted that he needs to get back into a more natural football mentality, particularly when it comes to identifying the defense and immediately attacking upfield.

That self-criticism is notable considering Nabers had not played an NFL game since suffering his injury last season. Rather than being satisfied simply with getting through his first game back, the young receiver believes there was significantly more production available to him against Dallas.

What does Malik Nabers regret from Giants vs. Cowboys?

Nabers explained that one of the biggest things he wants to improve is his ability to immediately get north after making a catch. He believes he sometimes focused too much on what was happening around him instead of simply identifying the defense, trusting his instincts and attacking the available space.

“Yeah, just got to get back into more of the football mentality of getting north. Just taking a picture of the defense, know where everybody’s at. I left some yards out there. I left some plays out there. I feel like I could’ve scored on probably two of them if I just run straight, get more yards. So, I kind of think that was just the most frustrating thing about it. It was just like I left a lot out there that I could’ve got.”

Nabers’ comments suggest that the biggest issue was not a lack of confidence in his knee, but simply getting back into the rhythm of playing real NFL football. After spending months recovering and preparing for his return, there were naturally going to be moments when his instincts were not completely back to normal.

The most frustrating part for Nabers is that he believes two of those missed opportunities could have resulted in touchdowns. That means his 69 receiving yards against Dallas may not fully represent how much impact he felt he could have had in the game.

For the Giants, that could be an encouraging development. Nabers was already productive in his first game back, and if he can eliminate some of the hesitation and rust he identified against Dallas, his production could increase as the season progresses.

The Giants will now face the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night, giving Nabers another opportunity to build on his return. After acknowledging that he left plenty of plays on the field against Dallas, the receiver will be looking to turn those regrets into bigger plays in Week 2.

Nabers caught six passes for 69 yards in the Giants’ victory over the Dallas Cowboys, playing 36 of a possible 69 offensive snaps in his first game since suffering the serious knee injury. He is now preparing for another challenge against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night, with the Giants hoping to build on their opening-week victory.

When asked directly whether there was any need to ask if he would play against Los Angeles, Nabers gave a simple answer: no. However, he also acknowledged that there is still plenty of work to do before he feels completely like himself again.

Is Malik Nabers playing against the Rams?

Nabers made it clear that he expects to be on the field Monday night, while explaining that his preparation has remained largely the same despite the uncertainty surrounding his Week 1 availability now being gone. The receiver continues to communicate with the trainers, monitor how his body feels and take as many practice reps as possible.

Asked how he felt after playing that many snaps for the first time since his injury, Nabers admitted that he was sore but said the discomfort was manageable. He also indicated that knowing he is playing this week has not changed his approach, with his focus remaining on getting ready for the game. “A little sore, but manageable.”

Nabers’ comments are encouraging for the Giants because he came through his first game without an obvious setback. He also believes there is another level to his performance as he becomes more comfortable playing football again, particularly after spending nearly a full year recovering and preparing for his return.

The biggest revelation, however, came when Nabers evaluated his own performance against Dallas. Rather than declaring himself completely back, the young receiver was blunt about where he currently stands. “I’m rusty.” Malik explained why he felt that way. “Slipping, falling, pretty much it.”

That self-assessment could be important heading into the Rams matchup. Nabers already showed he can contribute immediately after a major knee injury, but Monday could give him another opportunity to regain the explosiveness and instincts that made him one of the NFL’s most dangerous young receivers before the injury.

For the Giants, having Nabers available against the Rams is a major part of their offensive plan. With another game under his belt, the expectation will be to see whether he can take another step toward the version of himself that New York knows can change a game.

Dan Duggan reported the move, explaining that Cambre’s promotion ultimately served its purpose as the Giants prepared for the possibility that Nabers might not be ready to play. “Dalen Cambre is back on the practice squad, per source. So he wound up getting a $42K raise last week for being the contingency plan for Malik Nabers.”

Cambre was added to the active roster before the Cowboys game as the Giants prepared for multiple scenarios involving Nabers. The move quickly attracted attention because Nabers remained a true game-time decision after recovering from his torn ACL and had repeatedly indicated that the final decision about playing would be his. With Cambre joining Braxton Berrios as an additional option, speculation surrounding Nabers’ availability intensified.

Dalen Cambre returns to the NY Giants’ practice squad

The Giants’ decision to elevate Dalen Cambre was ultimately a precautionary move. With no certainty that Malik Nabers would be able to handle his return to regular-season action, New York wanted another wide receiver available in case its star player had to sit out against Dallas.

That contingency plan was ultimately unnecessary. Nabers completed his pregame routine, was cleared to play and delivered a successful return as the Giants defeated the Cowboys. His ability to get through the game provided the team with the confirmation it needed that it could return to its normal roster configuration, allowing Cambre to go back to the practice squad.

Cambre’s move also provides a fitting conclusion to one of the biggest pregame storylines surrounding Nabers. His promotion had fueled questions about whether the Giants already knew their star receiver might not be available, but Nabers ultimately showed that he was ready to return. Now Cambre goes back to the practice squad after earning an additional $42,000 for serving as the Giants’ insurance policy in case Nabers could not play.

Harbaugh is enjoying coaching those young stars and remaining active in his interactions. He even tackled Nabers during the team’s walkthroughs and explained his side of the story to reporters. “It just kind of evolved into an opportunity to tackle. I couldn’t pass it up, I guess … I have done that before, so it wasn’t a first,” Harbaugh said.

Following a long tenure with the Baltimore Ravens, Harbaugh began the next chapter of his head coaching career by joining the Giants. He looks to get the franchise back to serious playoff contention, having seen New York struggle throughout the past decade. Nabers will serve as a key piece who puts the rest of the league on notice regarding the team’s intentions.

Solid performance from the Giants and Harbaugh

John Harbaugh‘s era with the Giants has started on the right foot, opening the year with a 1-0 record after defeating the Cowboys. New York did not slow down on offense, scoring a touchdown in each of the four quarters. Dallas’ mistakes, especially on defense, paved the way for the home team to log a comfortable victory in front of their fans.

Jaxson Dart delivered an incredible performance in the NFL season opener. He completed 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 11 carries for 54 yards on the ground, proving how vital he will be for the team.

Cam Skattebo enjoyed a solid night in the running game, recording 18 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown. Isaiah Likely led the receiving corps with eight catches for 78 yards and two touchdowns, while Malik Nabers hauled in six passes for 69 yards. Meanwhile, Devin Singletary logged four receptions for 22 yards and a touchdown.

The Giants are already focusing on their next matchup, which will take place on the road. They will face the Los Angeles Rams in Week 2, with kickoff scheduled for Sept. 21. It will be a tough test, but New York enters motivated following the Rams’ defeat against the 49ers.

Many words were said about if Nabers was going to be fully healthy, if OBJ would have a huge role, or if players like tight end Isaiah Likely would be relevant in the passing game. We have answers now.

After Week 1, it’s all clear, so let’s break it down as the first game against Cowboys was very telling. Remember, Matt Nagy is the one calling plays from the booth, but his plans worked to perfection.

Malik Nabers is a star

Not much a doubt in terms of usage, but a confirmation that he is healthy. Nabers led the team in targets (9), and had six catches for 69 yards. When healthy, Nabers is the WR1 of this team and will be a difference-maker.

Odell Beckham Jr. is a locker room presence more than a weapon

Jaxson Dart didn’t look for OBJ at all, and in all fairness, the wideout wasn’t heavily deployed either. Odell Beckham Jr. played in 11 snaps only and had zero targets. Given how the Giants had 69 offensive snaps, it’s clear OBJ’s role won’t be big.

Isaiah Likely will have a huge role in this offense

While Nabers led the team in targets with nine, Likely had eight. However, he was looked at when third downs came into play and in the clutch. Likely led the Giants in receptions as he hauled in his eight targets for a team-leading 78 yards and two touchdowns. He will be a massive problem to deal with for opposing defenses.

Malachi Fields and other WRs

• Malachi Fields: 4 targets, 2 catches, 25 yards
• Darnell Mooney: 2 targets, 2 catches, 27 yards
• Braxton Berrios: 0 targets, just 12 snaps, 4 routes run
• Theo Johnson (TE): 1 target, 1 catch, 9 yards

“We’ve got guys in here that expect to win,” Nabers stated postgame, via SNY Giants. “During the walk-through I looked at everybody’s eyes—I’m always in the back, I don’t do too much—but I can tell in everybody’s eyes that they were ready to play.

“There was no doubt in anybody’s mind that we weren’t going to come here and give our best foot forward and win this game. [John Harbaugh’s] speech before the game yesterday, I saw in his eyes that he knew we were coming out to play hard, and that gave me all the confidence I needed.”

While a big hurdle was cleared, Nabers made it clear this is only the standard the Giants hope to achieve week in and week out during the 2026 NFL season. There is a new identity and team culture in New York, and it’s one that’s largely rooted in making life hell for opponents.

Nabers’ first game back

Nabers admitted he truly didn’t know if he’d be playing until warmups ahead of Week 1’s showdown with the Cowboys. Whatever it was that made him feel confident enough to suit up in Big Blue, it sure was a great hunch.

In his first game back from the torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee, Nabers reeled in six catches for 69 yards. Only Isaiah Likely, who had quite the welcome-to-New-York debut, had more, as the tight end finished with eight catches, 78 yards, and two touchdowns.

After the final kneel, quarterback Jaxson Dart handed the game ball to Nabers, a touching tribute to the clear-cut WR1 in East Rutherford in his return. Although the 28-20 win over Dallas had “statement victory” written all over it, Nabers made sure his team didn’t get too far ahead of itself and made it clear he wasn’t interested in sending a warning to the rest of the NFL. New York is only looking within.

“It’s not really a message we sent to anybody—just ourselves. We expect to win, we’ve got great leaders. We’re just sending a message to ourselves: It’s a new team this year,” Nabers said postgame, per SNY. “And everybody knows it, everybody feels it. We can do it. We stay confident and with each other, we can accomplish anything in the world.”

NY Giants looked completely different

All the talk in the offseason, all the hype coming into the season, all the statements made throughout the summer—well, they weren’t in vain. At least not after Week 1’s commanding triumph over the Cowboys. Week 1s in the NFL can often be misleading, but that doesn’t seem to be the case for the Giants. New York looked just as good as advertised, and every trace of Harbaugh’s hand was visible throughout the night. From start to finish, the G-Men set the tone.

Gone are the days of away teams cruising in and out of MetLife Stadium. On home turf, the Giants made it clear they would be playing by their rules. Even when calls and flags didn’t go their way, the G-Men kept their composure, and not once did it look like the game would get out of their control.

Authentic football: grinding defenses down, running the ball as violently yet efficiently as possible. And when the moment called for it, the passing game stole the show with state-of-the-art play calls, beautiful throws, and picture-perfect catches. New York truly did it all.

Harbaugh delivered in long-awaited debut

Harbaugh’s pulse didn’t tremble, either. Tyrone Tracy Jr. fumbled the football in the second quarter, and he didn’t see the field again. Mistakes will be penalized in East Rutherford, and good plays will be rewarded. Aside from a vintage Odell Beckham Jr. touchdown catch, Week 1 against the Cowboys couldn’t have gone any better for Giants fans.

The final score may not show it, but it was quite a beatdown of America’s Team, courtesy of the blue, white, and red team in New York. The future—nay, the present—looks bright in the City That Never Sleeps, and it’s largely because Harbaugh has brought about a major makeover.