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New York Giants Still Have A Major Question Mark Lingering With Malik Nabers
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- New York Giants Still Have A Major Question Mark Lingering With Malik Nabers
When NFL training camps open in a few weeks, much of the football world will turn its attention to the New York Giants training camp in West Virginia.
There's a ton of intrigue about what the Giants can be this season under head coach John Harbaugh . However, much of the success the team can achieve this year is contingent on the health of star wide receiver Malik Nabers .
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Nabers' sophomore season came to an abrupt end in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers when he tore the ACL in his right knee. The belief was that since the injury occurred on September 28, Nabers would be good to go for the start of the 2026 season. But after it was revealed that he had a second surgery this offseason on the knee to clean up scar tissue, there's been trepidation that he might not be ready for the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys .
With Week 1 a little over two months away, the organization remains hopeful that they'll have their best skill position player on the field, because if he's not, the offense could be in big trouble.
Giants Don't Have Go-To Weapon Without Nabers
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Although he's only played in 19 games in his first two seasons in the league, Nabers has established himself as one of the best young wideouts in the league. In his brief career, the 22-year-old wideout has 127 receptions for 1,475 yards, nine touchdowns, and was named to the Pro Bowl in 2024.
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He's also proven to be unstoppable when he faces the Cowboys. In his three games against them, he has 29 receptions for 351 yards with two touchdowns. But without him, quarterback Jaxson Dart doesn't have a true number one target heading into Week 1, which doesn't bode well, especially with Dart learning a new offense under new offensive coordinator Matt Nagy.
Darnell Mooney , who the team signed to a one-year deal in free agency, does have experience with Nagy during their time together with the Chicago Bears in 2020 and 2021. Mooney had the only 1,000-yard season of his career in 2021, but he's best used as a number two or three option.
Darius Slayton is the lone potential starter who has played with Dart last season, has been inconsistent, and has been plagued by drops. Calvin Austin III will operate out of the slot and has never had more than 548 receiving yards in a season. Third-round pick Malachi Fields had a terrific collegiate career, but we'll have to wait and see how quickly he'll adapt to the speed and physicality of the NFL.
A decade ago, Odell Beckham Jr was one of the best receivers in the league and seemed destined to shatter every franchise receiving record. But after numerous injuries and being 33 years old, it's unknown how much he has left in the tank and if he'll make the final roster. The same can also be said about JuJu Smith-Schuster , who was also signed in June.
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Tight end Isaiah Likely is the wildcard in this scenario. After playing behind Mark Andrews in his four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens , Likely is poised for a breakout season . He could be the number one option in New York's passing game if Nabers isn't ready for the start of the season. But time will tell how he'll fare as Dart's go-to guy.
On the first day of training camp, Harbaugh will be asked about the status of his star wideout. Giants fans will have bated breath on what the 63-year-old head coach will reveal. If the soon-to-be 23-year-old receiver is ready to start the season, the cast of skill position players the team acquired this offseason will make the offense one of the most improved units in the league. If he's unable to begin the season and is put on the PUP list, there will be concerns about where the explosive plays from the offense will come from.
Related: New York Giants 'Likely' to Move On From Former Third-Round Pick
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