Malik Nabers Leaves Giants Coach Bloodied At Practice

Malik Nabers (Photo via Imagn Images)

Malik Nabers Leaves Giants Coach Bloodied At Practice

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports | By Lou Flavius | Last updated Aug 14, 2026 10:19 AM ET

Malik Nabers was supposed to be the protected player at Giants practice on Thursday. Instead, his helmet left a coach bleeding on the sideline.

Nabers wore a red practice jersey because New York is limiting contact during his ACL recovery. That protection did not prevent an accidental collision during an individual drill.

The Giants receiver released against a coach playing defensive back. Nabers tried to punch through the coverage and accidentally caught the coach in the face with his helmet.

John Harbaugh explained the bizarre sequence after practice. He said the two crossed signals about which direction they were moving.

According to ProFootballTalk, the impact left the coach with a bloody mouth and lip. Trainers treated him on the field and gave him stitches.

“We have a rule that everybody respects the red jersey for Malik, obviously,” Harbaugh said. “In individual, Chad was [working as a] DB, and Malik was releasing off of Chad. Somehow, they crossed signals on which way they were going. Malik went to punch his way through, arm over, and caught Chad right in the face. Chad Hall took stitches on the field. Tough dude.”

Hall refused to let the injury end his workday. The coach returned to practice and later completed his scheduled media availability.

Malik Nabers Takes A Major Step In His Recovery

Malik Nabers (Brad Penner-Imagn Images)

The collision overshadowed a much more encouraging development for the Giants.

Nabers participated in team drills for the first time this offseason. He wore the red non-contact jersey during a lighter practice.

SportsNet reported that Nabers caught several passes from Giants quarterbacks during the session. The Giants are preparing for Saturday’s preseason opener against the Minnesota Vikings.

Head coach John Harbaugh called Nabers’ participation a “big step.” The team has remained cautious while the 23-year-old receiver works toward a return.

Nabers suffered a torn ACL in his right knee during Week 4 last season. The injury ended a promising second NFL campaign after only four games.

The setback followed an outstanding rookie season in which he caught 109 passes for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024. Sadly, his second season ended after 18 catches for 271 yards and two touchdowns.

Malik Nabers Experienced Recovery Setback Earlier This Year

Malik Nabers (Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJersey.com-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Nabers’ recovery had already taken an unexpected turn in May when he underwent a second knee surgery to remove scar tissue.

Thursday’s practice offered a far more positive sign. Nabers handled team workouts without the contact that normally accompanies a full-speed session.

That progress is key because New York needs its star receiver back. The Giants finished last season without him and now enter a new era under Harbaugh.

For one coach, however, Nabers’ encouraging day came with an unexpected price.

He took a helmet to the mouth, needed stitches and still went back to work. That is one way to demonstrate commitment to the job.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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