Malik Nabers injury update: MRI confirms a season-ending torn ACL for Giants star

The Giants notched a landmark victory in Week 4, defeating the previously unbeaten Los Angeles Chargers in Jaxson Dart’s debut. However, an injury to their star wide receiver Malik Nabers dampened their high.

In the second quarter of New York’s contest, Nabers had to be carted off the field after attempting to make a catch over a defender. He clutched his knee upon landing, and armchair experts immediately pointed to his ACL.

After much conjecture and early reporting, an MRI has confirmed the news. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Nabers’ ACL is torn, and he’ll miss the remainder of his sophomore season in the league.

Nabers was in the midst of his second season with the Giants after being drafted sixth overall in the first round by New York in the 2024 NFL Draft. He quickly cemented himself as WR1 in the Giants offense during his rookie season.

By the time the year was over, Nabers caught 109 of his 170 targets for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns. Now, Nabers’ sophomore season has come to an unceremonious end, less than four games into the year.

Nabers had a bit of an injury scare in Week 3, though it turned out to be nothing major. During last week’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Nabers was targeted on a deep ball and appeared to be injured on the play. 

He served as a defensive back of sorts on an under-thrown deep ball from Wilson that landed in the end zone. But as he swiped the ball away from a Chiefs defensive back, he was shaken up going to the ground. Nabers went to the injury tent and returned a few plays later. One week later, and the injury scare would turn into an unfortunate reality for the Giants budding star.

Moving forward, the Giants will be hoping Dart can continue the hot start to his career without his star wide receiver. The rookie is starting for the team in favor of veteran Russell Wilson, who the Giants benched. Despite the inconsistency under center, Nabers was the NFL’s fourth-leading receiver heading into the matchup, with 251 yards and two touchdowns. 

After their win on the field but brutal loss injury wise, the Giants will have to move forward without their dynamic wideout after defeating the Chargers at home. Looking ahead, New York will have to plan its season without Nabers.

They’ll take on the Saints on the road next weekend, but will play the Philadelphia Eagles in two of their next three games. Dart will have to be as advertised, with Darius Slayton and Wan’Dale Robinson as his top two targets moving forward. Beaux Collins and Jalin Hyatt round out their wide receiving corps at the moment.

— On3’s Barkley Truax contributed to this article.