Concerning update about Malik Nabers emerges amid OBJ talk

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Concerning injury update about Giants WR Malik Nabers emerges amid Odell Beckham Jr. uncertainty

By Zac Wassink | Last updated May 13, 2026 4:20 PM ET

Back in February, a report suggested that New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers was "a major concern entering next season" coming off the campaign-ending torn ACL and torn meniscus he suffered in Week 4 of the 2025 season.

On Wednesday, a worrisome update regarding Nabers' recovery emerged.

Malik Nabers needed a second procedure on his surgically repaired knee

"Nabers underwent a second surgery on his knee to remove scar tissue that was causing stiffness," Giants reporter Dan Duggan of The Athletic shared via X (formerly known as Twitter).

"I'm told the second surgery took place 'multiple weeks ago,' and it was described as a 'clean up.' This second surgery isn't expected to impact Nabers' recovery timeline. The team is still hoping the No. 1 WR will be ready for the opener. Nabers first underwent ACL and meniscus surgery on Oct. 28."

Giants WR Malik Nabers underwent a second surgery on his knee to remove scar tissue that was causing stiffness, according to sources.

I'm told the second surgery took place "multiple weeks ago" and it was described as a "clean up." This second surgery isn't expected to impact…
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) May 13, 2026

The Giants are scheduled to open the season with a "Sunday Night Football" matchup versus the rival Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 13. Duggan's use of "hoping" would lead one to believe that there is some chance that Nabers won't be good to go for that prime-time matchup.

Giants fans were hoping that quarterback Jaxson Dart would be able to build chemistry with Nabers throughout the summer after the two hardly played with each other during Dart's debut season. Nabers went down with his injury on the same afternoon Dart made his first regular-season start.

Malik Nabers update helps explain report about Giants' potential draft plan

Earlier this week, a report hinted that the Giants would have considered selecting Carnell Tate or Jordyn Tyson had either wide receiver fallen to Big Blue at the 10th overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. The Tennessee Titans surprised many when they grabbed Tate with pick No. 4, while the New Orleans Saints drafted Tyson at No. 8.

Meanwhile, the Giants may bring free-agent receiver and fan-favorite Odell Beckham Jr. back to the organization at some point this summer. Beckham is no longer what he was when he earned three Pro Bowl nods while playing for the Giants from 2014 through the 2018 season, but he could serve as somewhat of a useful option in the event that Nabers can't play in Week 1.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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