Giants still waiting to see Malik Nabers in action this spring, and a lingering issue raises a red flag that won’t easily fade

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers established himself as an absolute star as a rookie in 2024. 

The top-ten draft choice posted monster numbers on a limited offense that has many wondering if this is just the surface of what Nabers can ultimately do in the pros. But for him to create an equally memorable encore in 2025, Nabers is going to have to put behind him a lingering question that has put him largely on ice throughout the course of the 2025 offseason program. 

Head coach Brian Daboll has been onboarding a slew of new quarterbacks this spring and summer but none of them have been able to throw routes to Nabers, who has been rehabbing a lingering toe injury that he's allegedly carried with him since his college days. 

At what point do we worry, no matter how confident the messaging is that Nabers is totally fine? 

Giants are "being safe" with Malik Nabers' toe injury

Daboll has been insistent all spring and summer that this injury with Nabers is not really a big deal. Back on May 28th, Daboll disclosed that Nabers had really only been catching the football for his on-field work during workouts and OTAs. 

"Malik has really just caught the ball. Malik will be out here today, but he won't be participating. We're being mindful of his toe that he's had. Nothing serious, but we're being smart with him in terms of the rehab part of it," said Daboll. 

"He's had that. He's had it for a while, back in college, too, so just trying to be smart."

Daboll inferred that the team doctors have a plan and that Nabers didn't have a procedure this offseason. With mandatory minicamp now upon the Giants and Nabers seemingly continuing to work at his own pace, not everyone seems to be so keen on buying that this is a nothing-burger for Nabers, be it for 2025 or long-term.