Giants’ Malik Nabers shares raw emotions about return from ACL injury

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Giants’ Malik Nabers shares raw emotions about return from ACL injury

By Paul White | Last updated Aug 17, 2026 7:38 PM ET

The New York Giants are one of the more talented teams in the NFL, but they haven’t been able to realize their potential yet thanks to injuries. Quarterback Jaxson Dart was in the medical tent far too often last year, while running back Cam Skattebo’s season was cut short by a gruesome ankle injury.

Lost in all the commotion was wide receiver Malik Nabers tearing his ACL and missing most of the season. Now, he’s back on the practice field in a larger capacity, and he sounds like a man determined to show the world what it was missing.

Malik Nabers’ soul returns as he nears full recovery from torn ACL

Nabers participated in live drills at practice for the first time all offseason on Monday, but that wasn’t the most notable part of his day. He gave everyone a glimpse into his mind when he got up in front of reporters, delivering a hard-hitting quote about what this return means to him.

“My soul’s been dead for so long, just being away from this game. So just getting out there and having my teammates behind me, kinda felt that soul come back to life out there,” said Nabers.

Malik Nabers’ soul has come back to life.

“My souls been dead for so long, just being away from the game. So just getting out there and having my teammates behind me, kinda felt that soul come back to life out there.” pic.twitter.com/DtcpS3V2oT
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) August 17, 2026

Nabers was expected to continue ascending in 2025, but the injury and rocky quarterback play doomed his season. Now he has a chance to get back on track with a new coach in the fold and Dart healthy heading into the season.

With the quarterback-wide receiver combination looking to establish a connection and Skattebo getting closer to full strength each day, the Giants have an exciting core to build around if injuries stay out of the way. Nabers should be able to help them do big things with the rediscovered sense of purpose and fulfillment he’s feeling.

Paul White

Paul White is a contract writer from Philadelphia who attended Penn State University. He has contributed hundreds of stories about the NFL and NBA over the years and now brings that experience over to Yardbarker. He is a lifelong Philadelphia sports fan looking to bring the same passion from his city to sports media.

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