Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta

Malik Nabers Week 1 Could Be In Doubt

Originally posted on EasySportz | By Landon Kardian | Last updated May 17, 2026 12:19 PM ET

Malik Nabers’ second knee surgery sounds scary at first, but for the New York Giants, the bigger takeaway is hope.

According to ESPN, Nabers had a cleanup procedure to remove scar tissue that was causing stiffness, and the Giants are still targeting a Week 1 return. That matters because Nabers is not just another receiver on the roster. He is the centerpiece of the Giants’ offense and one of the few players on the team who can completely change a game by himself.

Giants remain hopeful Malik Nabers will be ready for Week 1 after undergoing second knee surgery for a "cleanup" procedure, per @JordanRaanan. pic.twitter.com/x2LKwzUVXy
— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) May 14, 2026

Nabers’ 2025 season was basically stolen from him. After tearing his ACL in September, he finished with only 18 catches for 271 yards and two touchdowns in four games. That came after a monster rookie year in 2024, when he caught 109 passes for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns.

That is why this update is so important. The Giants need Nabers back, but they also need him back the right way. There is no reason to rush him in May, June or July just to win a headline. Week 1 is the target, and if he is ready, the Giants suddenly have their true No. 1 weapon back for Jaxson Dart.

New York’s offense is going to look different, but Nabers is still the player who raises the ceiling. Without him, the Giants are just trying to survive. With him, they have a receiver who can win one-on-one, stretch the field, create after the catch and make life easier for everyone else.

The Giants do not need Nabers to prove anything in the offseason. They need him healthy in September.

This article first appeared on EasySportz and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: