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Honestly, watching the New York Giants without Malik Nabers feels like watching a movie where the main character disappears thirty minutes in. It’s just... off. When Nabers went down with that nasty concussion back in Week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys in late 2024, the air basically went out of MetLife Stadium. People were freaking out. And rightfully so—he was leading the league in catches at the time.
But then came the news everyone was waiting for. The NY Giants Malik Nabers practice return finally happened on a Wednesday in October, and it felt like a collective sigh of relief for Big Blue fans everywhere. He walked out onto the grass wearing that bright red non-contact jersey. You know the one. It basically says, "Don't even breathe on me."
The Long Road Back Through the Protocol
Concussions are weird. They aren't like a broken bone where you can see the X-ray and say, "Okay, six weeks." It’s all about how the brain reacts to light, movement, and stress. Brian Daboll was being super cagey about it at first. He kept saying Nabers was making "progress," which is coach-speak for "I’m not telling you anything yet."
Nabers had to miss two big games—the win against Seattle and that Sunday night loss to Cincinnati. It was frustrating. You could see he wanted to be out there. Basically, the NFL has this five-step process. You start with light aerobic work, move to football-specific exercises, then non-contact practice, then full contact, and finally, the independent doctor gives the thumbs up.
When Nabers finally hit the field for that limited practice, he had already cleared the first couple of hurdles. He wasn't doing everything, but he was catching passes and running routes. It was a massive step. You’ve gotta realize, this kid is only 21. The Giants were being incredibly smart—or maybe just terrified of losing their best asset—by not rushing him.
Why This Practice Return Changed Everything
The stats don't lie. Before the injury, Nabers was on a historic tear. He had 35 catches in his first four games. That’s the kind of stuff you usually only see in video games. When he returned to practice, the energy in the locker room shifted.
Even Andrew Thomas—the Giants' star left tackle who has had his own nightmare run with injuries—noted how much the offense missed that "spark." Speaking of Thomas, the Giants' injury luck has been pretty abysmal lately. While Nabers was working his way back from the concussion, Thomas was dealing with a season-ending Lisfranc surgery from that same 2024 season. It’s been a revolving door in the training room.
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What Nabers Brings Back to the Field:
- Vertical Threat: Defenses have to respect the deep ball again, which opens up everything for Wan'Dale Robinson in the slot.
- Target Share: Nabers was eating up about 35% of the targets. Without him, the offense looked stagnant and predictable.
- Confidence: Daniel Jones looks like a completely different quarterback when he knows #1 is out there to bail him out on a contested catch.
The 2025 Setback and the 2026 Outlook
Now, if we’re being real, the "return to practice" narrative didn't end in 2024. If you followed the 2025 season, you know it was a rollercoaster. Nabers actually suffered a season-ending ACL injury in Week 4 of 2025. It felt like Groundhog Day. The guy just couldn't catch a break.
As of early 2026, the NY Giants Malik Nabers practice return is once again the hottest topic in East Rutherford. He’s been rehabbing like a madman. Most recently, during the early January 2026 media sessions, Nabers told reporters his recovery is "right on track." He’s not promising he’ll be 100% for the very first day of OTAs, but the goal is clearly Week 1 of the 2026 season.
The Giants are under new management now, too. With John Harbaugh reportedly coming in to take over the head coaching reins in 2026, the way they handle these injuries might change. Harbaugh is known for a "tough but smart" approach. He’s going to need Nabers at full strength if he wants to turn this ship around.
The Impact on the 2026 Roster
Because Nabers was sidelined for a chunk of 2025, the Giants' lack of depth was exposed. It was ugly. Darius Slayton did what he could, and Wan'Dale Robinson actually had a career year with over 1,000 yards, but they lacked that true "X" receiver.
Expect the Giants to be aggressive in the draft or free agency to find someone to play across from Nabers. You can't just rely on one guy, especially one who has had a concussion and an ACL tear in back-to-back years. The medical staff is likely working on a "load management" plan for him as he integrates back into full-speed drills this spring.
Key Dates to Watch for Nabers in 2026:
- Late May: OTAs begin. This is when we’ll see if he’s doing 1-on-1 drills or just individual work.
- Late July: Training Camp. This is the real test. If he’s not on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list by then, he’s golden.
- September: Week 1. This is the ultimate goal for the return.
What Most People Get Wrong About Injury Returns
There's this idea that once a player is "back at practice," they're fine. That’s rarely true. Especially with a guy like Nabers whose game is built on suddenness and twitchy movements. Coming off an ACL, the last thing to return is that "stop-and-start" confidence.
And with the concussion history from 2024, the team has to be wary of every big hit. You’ll notice in 2026 practices that he might still wear a specialized Guardian Cap or even that red jersey longer than fans want. It’s not because he’s "soft"—it’s because he’s the franchise.
Honestly, the Giants' future basically lives and dies with Nabers' health. If he’s on the field, they have a top-10 aerial attack. If he’s in the trainer’s room, they’re picking in the top five of the draft again. It’s that simple.
Keep an eye on the Friday injury reports as we get closer to the summer. The "limited" vs. "full" participation tags tell you more about the coaches' trust in his knee than any press conference quote ever will.
Next Steps for Following the Recovery:
Check the official Giants practice reports every Wednesday during the offseason programs. Look specifically for the "Team Drills" participation section. If Nabers is taking reps in 11-on-11s by June, he’s officially ahead of schedule. You should also monitor the status of Andrew Thomas, as his ability to protect the blind side is the only thing keeping the QB—and by extension, the receivers—safe.