New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (84) and quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) react to a touchdown against New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Surprising Malik Nabers replacement may have emerged for Giants

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Oct 5, 2025 3:21 PM ET

The New York Giants entered Sunday's road game against the New Orleans Saints with one huge question: How were they going to replace star wide receiver Malik Nabers?

Nabers, the team's No. 1 WR, suffered a season-ending ACL tear in his right knee during a 21-18 Week 4 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. The 22-year-old is scheduled to undergo surgery this week for the ACL and a torn meniscus.

Losing Nabers — who had 271 receiving yards and two touchdown catches in four games — was costly for Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart. However, if second-year tight end Theo Johnson continues to excel, that would help New York manage without the star wideout.

Theo Johnson caught fire vs. New Orleans Saints

On the Giants' first two offensive drives Sunday, Dart threw two touchdown passes to Johnson.

SECOND ONE FOR THEO

: CBS pic.twitter.com/VpGfUxQUBb
— New York Giants (@Giants) October 5, 2025

Johnson — whom the Giants selected with pick No. 107 in the 2024 NFL Draft — flashed promise during his rookie season before suffering a season-ending foot injury in a 27-20 Week 13 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. The Penn State product had 29 receptions for 331 yards and one TD on 43 targets in 12 games.

Before the season, Johnson said, he believed he "was in a great position to take off this year."

Through four games, it didn't look like he would. During this span, he had nine receptions for 66 yards and one TD catch. With Nabers out of the lineup, though, Johnson could be in for more targets, especially if he continues to develop a repertoire with Dart.

If that happens, that would be ideal for the 25th overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. Outside of Nabers, Dart — who had just 111 passing yards against the Chargers — doesn't have much help in the passing game. Entering Week 5, New York ranked 17th in the league in passing yards (204.8).

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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