Giants’ Malik Nabers targets Week 1 after knee scar-tissue procedure

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers remains on an uncertain timeline for the team’s Sept. 13 season opener as he continues his recovery from a torn ACL in his right knee. General manager Joe Schoen said this week the Giants expect Nabers to be available for Week 1, while head coach John Harbaugh said he is “hopeful” the receiver will be back “soon.”

Nabers did not participate in the Giants’ mandatory minicamp while rehabbing the injury. Officials said his recovery included a second procedure this offseason to remove scar tissue, described as a cleanup aimed at addressing knee stiffness.

Harbaugh said Nabers plans to be around the team for most activities even if he cannot take part fully. The coach added that the wide receiver has made “really good progress” in recent weeks, but stressed that returning to the field would still require a gradual ramp-up to regain full strength.

Nabers tore the ACL in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers and underwent surgery on Oct. 28. The scar-tissue procedure took place later in the offseason as part of the rehabilitation process.

Team outlook and rehab expectations

Schoen’s expectation for Week 1 availability contrasts with Harbaugh’s more cautious wording, a sign the club is monitoring how Nabers’ knee responds as his workload increases. ACL recoveries are typically managed in stages, with medical clearance followed by a progression from conditioning to football-specific work.

Harbaugh indicated that even after Nabers is cleared to return, he will still be “building his way back” to his full-strength level. The Giants’ approach suggests the team will prioritize how the knee responds to increased movement and cutting before setting a definitive return date.

What to watch when on-field work resumes

Nabers’ participation level when the Giants return to on-field practices will be the clearest public indicator of whether he is tracking toward Week 1. A limited workload would not necessarily rule him out, but it would signal that the final phase of his progression is still underway.

The next updates from the coaching staff and front office should clarify whether the Week 1 expectation holds or whether the team will extend his timeline to ensure a complete recovery.