NFL13 Sept 20261 minute read

Giants Star Malik Nabers Active for Season Opener Against Cowboys

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers is active for Sunday night's opener against the Dallas Cowboys after recovering from a torn ACL.

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Nabers Back on the Field

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers is active for Sunday night's season opener against the Dallas Cowboys. The standout pass catcher is making his return after suffering a torn ACL in his right knee during Week 4 of last season.

Nabers was listed as questionable before the game but was cleared after a pregame workout. He has been a full participant in practice for several weeks with no limitations, taking most of the first team reps leading up to the game.

Making the Final Call

Giants coach John Harbaugh said earlier in the week that the team would see how Nabers felt. "If he's ready to go and feels like he's ready to go, then he'll play," Harbaugh said. Nabers made it clear that the final decision was his to make, as he wanted to ensure he could handle a full workload.

Veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who rejoined the Giants this offseason, has been a helpful sounding board. Beckham has dealt with multiple torn ACLs himself. Beckham advised Nabers to wait until he felt completely ready, noting that fear and anxiety are natural during this process.

Boosting the Giants Offense

Nabers immediately steps back in as the top target for the Giants. He is looking to play his first full game with Jaxson Dart as the starting quarterback. Nabers was injured early in Dart's first start last season.

During his rookie season, Nabers recorded more than 1,200 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Before his injury last year, he had 18 catches for 271 yards and two touchdowns in just four games.

What it means for the next game

Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants (NFL, Mon, 14 Sep): New York Giants win 38%, Dallas Cowboys win 62%; projected score New York Giants 22, Dallas Cowboys 25. Our safest pick: Under 54.5 points.

Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys (NFL, Sun, 20 Sep): Dallas Cowboys win 68%, Washington Commanders win 32%; projected score Dallas Cowboys 28, Washington Commanders 22. Our safest pick: Cowboys to win.