Stephen A. Smith is Praying After Concerning Malik Nabers Injury

The nature of the injury—non-contact and visibly painful—sparked immediate concern across the league. Among those who reacted was ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith, who voiced his alarm in real time on X:

“Nooooooo @MalikNabersMVP1. Please no! I’m praying this right-knee injury we’ve just seen the @Giants all-world receiver is not as serious as it looks. But it’s looking bad.#Damn!!!!”

Unfortunately, his fears appear to be leaning towards reality as minutes later, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport confirmed that Nabers is believed to have suffered a torn ACL, an injury that likely rules him out for the rest of the season.

The absence of Nabers is a significant blow for New York. Through four games, he had already posted 16 receptions for 251 yards and two touchdowns, following up a historic rookie campaign in 2024 that saw him set an NFL rookie record with 109 catches for 1,204 yards. Nabers had quickly become a centerpiece of the Giants’ offense, his big-play ability offering a spark the team badly needed.

With Nabers out, the Giants now face even tougher odds. Dart, still adjusting to the speed of the NFL, will be asked to lean on a thinner receiver corps that includes Jalin Hyatt, Wan’Dale Robinson, and Darius Slayton. While those players can contribute, Nabers’ absence leaves a big void. The injury not only disrupts game plans but also dampens what was supposed to be a new beginning for the franchise.

For a team still chasing its first win, the loss of its star playmaker is the kind of blow that could define an already difficult season.