Malik Nabers remains noncommittal
about being ready for the Giants' season opener
[September 01, 2026]
By STEPHEN WHYNO
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Malik Nabers progressed from individual
drills to team sessions at training camp, shed the no-contact red
jersey and looks from the outside like someone on the verge of being
ready to play in a football game.
Yet with less than two weeks to go before the New York Giants open
the season at home against Dallas, their No. 1 receiver working back
from a torn ACL in his right knee is not committing to being ready
right away.
“My mind is focused on playing the regular season: playing whenever
that is," Nabers said after practice Monday. "There’s still some
things that you still have to check off the box for you to
participate. I’m still going through that, still listening to the
trainers, still listening to doctors and sharing everything with
them.”
Nabers prefers to keep those checkpoints private, though he did
correct himself from saying he felt pretty good to “real good,
honestly.” But it's still a question if that is good enough to have
him in uniform and on the field when the Cowboys are in town the
night of Sept. 13.
“That’ll be a decision that will be made when that time comes,"
Nabers said. "There’s certain things that, as a football player,
you’ve got to mentally prepare (for) before you go into a game and
everybody’s just seeing you, so if you make a mistake it’s all
broadcast. Nobody really knows, so it’s like I want to be able to
come out there and make no mistakes and just be able to fly around
and do what I do. I’m getting there, for sure. I’m getting there.”
Nabers has watched video of himself during camp and been impressed,
and he knows the perception is that he is on track to play. But he
is also keenly aware of how he's feeling on a day-to-day basis and
has never promised a Week 1 return.
Neither have the Giants, who have been managing the 23-year-old's
process of getting ramped up. At some point, he'll need to take
contact and get tackled, whether that's in practice or a game.
“You’re going to get hit regardless,” Nabers said. "However they
want to do it, I’m with it.”
[to top of second column] |
Harbaugh says Beckham making the Giants was a
clear-cut decision
Odell Beckham Jr. making the 53-man roster brought him full circle
at age 33, back in the NFL after a lengthy absence and returning
with the team that he starred for early in his career.
He looked to be on the roster bubble until Calvin
Austin's season-ending knee injury opened a spot, but from that
point forward Beckham erased any doubt internally.
“He was one of the best guys,” coach John Harbaugh said. “He earned
it. He earned his spot. From beginning to end, he earned it. ...
There’s nobody in that locker room, I believe, or anywhere in the
building that questions Odell earning this. It’s clear cut.”
Harbaugh gave Beckham the news after practice Sunday and could feel
a sense of accomplishment.
“I came and I gave my best effort, and I earned the right to be
here,” Beckham said. “This wasn’t given to me. I was given the
opportunity, but I wasn’t given making it here where I’m at. I’m
truly happy about it. But not satisfied until I find ways to
continue to get better and bring my best.”
Beckham could be back in his old, familiar No. 13 sooner than later
after wearing No. 3 during camp and preseason games. The previous
owner, Jalin Hyatt, was released but re-signed to the practice
squad, and it seems likely the elder statesman will get it back.
“I think we all know what that means to me, and there definitely
will be some conversations,” Beckham said. “I’ll just say we’ll see
what happens, but it would be an honor and a privilege to put that
back on.”
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