Giants HC shares big update on WR Malik Nabers' status

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Giants HC John Harbaugh shares big update on WR Malik Nabers' status

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Aug 23, 2026 6:23 PM ET

Will New York Giants second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart soon be getting back one of his top weapons?

Giants third-year wide receiver Malik Nabers, who tore his ACL in his right knee in Week 4 last season, hasn't yet shed the team's red no-contact jersey this offseason. On Sunday, new head coach John Harbaugh hinted it may be a matter of time before Nabers does.

John Harbaugh talks Malik Nabers' status

"That's a possibility. We'll just have to see where he's at," Harbaugh said, via ESPN's Jordan Raanan.

Harbaugh noted the team isn't rushing Nabers' recovery with three weeks remaining before its season opener. The Giants kick off the regular season against the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 13 (NBC, 8:20 p.m. ET).

There's a chance Malik Nabers sheds the red no-contact jersey this week, per John Harbaugh.

"That's a possibility. We'll just have to see where he's at," Harbaugh said.

Still three weeks out from the opener. Harbaugh adds he doesn't think it's a necessity this week. pic.twitter.com/Rz8Unw0mnT
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) August 23, 2026

Nabers is clearly itching to make a full return. After participating in live drills for the first time this offseason, the WR admitted he felt like a part of him was missing when he was sidelined.

"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," Nabers said on Aug. 17.

Nabers has yet to commit to a Week 1 return date. Whenever he does, he should provide a needed spark for the Giants' passing attack. After New York took him with pick No. 6 in the 2024 NFL Draft, he delivered on high expectations during his rookie season. He finished fifth in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting after ranking fifth in the league in receptions (109) and seventh in receiving yards (1,204) that season.

Nabers had 18 receptions for 271 yards and two TD catches last season. He played one of those games with 2025 Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist Dart, who replaced Russell Wilson after Week 3. The QB and WR will have an opportunity to develop a stronger rapport this season. If they do, the Giants, who have gone 7-27 over their last 34 games, will suddenly become much more intriguing.

Clark Dalton

Clark 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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