Malik Nabers (shoulder) limited Wednesday

Nabers departed the game at the end of the first quarter with a shoulder injury but was able to return after missing only one drive. His putrid box score can largely be attributed to uneven quarterback play from backup Jameis Winston, whom came on in relief of the injured Jaxson Dart after the team’s first possession. Beyond the fact that fantasy managers were left with a near goose egg from their third round selection, Nabers could be forced to contend with backup-level quarterback play in the coming weeks considering the mechanism of Dart’s knee injury. Even so, it will be difficult to sit Nabers in a cake matchup with the Titans in Week 3, making him a classic hold-your-breath start.

Nabers left at the end of the first quarter with an apparent shoulder injury but returned to the game half way through the second quarter. Nabers has had a right shoulder issue dating back to his college days, something that could help to explain how he was injured on what looked to be a routine play. Fantasy managers can breathe a quick sigh of relief, at least for the time being.

Nabers appeared to injure his shoulder late in the first quarter on what looked to be a routine play. He went up to attempt a contested catch and came down holding his shoulder. He immediately walked off the field and was seen in visible pain while be attended to by trainers. The team deemed him questionable to return shortly thereafter. Nabers caught 1-of-2 targets for one yard prior to departing.

Nabers told NFL insider Josina Anderson after the Giants’ Week 1 win against Dallas that he had canceled his family’s trip to the season opener “because I thought I wasn’t playing.” It was Nabers’ first action since tearing his ACL in 2025 and undergoing a somewhat complicated recovery that made him iffy for Week 1. Nabers easily led the team in air yards and targets on his way to six catches for 69 scoreless yards against the Cowboys. He ran a route on 70 percent of the Giants’ drop backs — a rate that’s likely to rise in the coming weeks barring setbacks to his knee.

Nabers took his decision to play all the way up to inactives, ultimately deeming himself healthy enough to take the field against a divisional rival. Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy didn’t take long to knock the rust off his alpha receiver, giving him a quick out on his first target to get his feet wet and get into the flow of the game. Nabers would make numerous athletic plays from that point forward, combining with newcomer tight end Isaiah Likely to account for 17 targets on only 29 Jaxson Dart pass attempts. Fantasy managers can likely project that volume forward as the offense appeared to run entirely through its top two options through the air in the opening game. Nabers gets a difficult matchup against the Rams in Week 2, where he remains a back end WR1 in fantasy circles.

Even the lead up to the game did not come without its drama as Nabers was reportedly late to show up to the stadium. He would eventually make it to the field to test out his knee. The decision to play was left up to the talented receiver, who apparently felt well enough during his on-field workout to make his return from a torn ACL. Inactive for the Giants are RB Najee Harris, S Jason Pinnock, CB Nic Jones, OL J.C. Davis, TE Thomas Fidone II, DL Bobby Jamison-Travis, and WR Dalen Cambre.

According to Schefter, the Giants still haven’t gotten clarity from Nabers, who is working his way back from the torn ACL he suffered early in the 2025 season. The Giants elevated two receivers from their practice squad to the active roster over the weekend, signaling that they think there’s a chance Nabers sits. If he does, Malachi Fields, Odell Beckham, and Darnell Mooney would be their starting receiver trio. We can’t recommend any of them in fantasy, even if Nabers is ruled out.

This one is for the practice squad transactions grinders. Nabers is questionable to play in Week 1 against the Cowboys and has made it clear that he is weighing his long-term health heavily as he decides whether to play. Per Duggan, if the Giants elevate a second wide receiver, that “would be a very discouraging sign.” Stay tuned.

Nabers made clear yesterday that the decision to play, and how much, is up to him. The team appears to be respecting that. Nabers is, smartly, keeping his long-term health in mind. If active, he should probably be treated as a volatile WR2. Hopefully, we learn more later today or tomorrow.

Nabers fielded quite a few questions from reporters this afternoon, with many focusing on who makes the decision for him to play and whether he will be on a snap count. Nabers was adamant that his participation level is entirely his call. Of course, he chose not to share whether he is leaning toward playing or delaying his return, but noted that he is keeping his long-term health and career in mind. Nabers continues to practice in full, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter said earlier today that Nabers is “on track to play.” We lean that way as well, but his usage is tough to project. He is likely best viewed as a WR2 if active.