Malik Nabers surgery update raises questions as New York Giants are set to host NFC East clash in Week 1 vs the Cowboys
The latest Malik Nabers update is far from a worst-case scenario but it raises questions about his status for the announced Sunday Night Football in Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys.
The New York Giants are bound for primetime TV in Week 1 when they host the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. The question, among many, is if wide receiver Malik Nabers will be ready to go.
The latest update revealing Nabers underwent a second knee surgery following an ACL tear in October.
Malik Nabers undergoes another knee surgery
According to Giants insider Dan Duggan, the goal of Nabers’ second knee surgery was to “remove scar tissue that was causing stiffness.”
The insider added the “clean up” procedure happened multiple weeks ago, though the exact date remains unknown. Duggan’s report follows speculation from other insiders suggesting Nabers’ Week 1 status was in question.
Duggan describes the Giants as “hopeful” when it comes to Nabers being ready for the Cowboys matchup.
The Giants need Nabers versus the Cowboys
The Giants opened as home underdogs to the Cowboys. Understandably so. Though John Harbaugh brings a promising future to the Meadowlands, there is a long way to go. The Giants won four games in 2025 to the Cowboys’ seven. And that’s despite Dallas fielding one of the most prolific offenses in the NFL.
Where the Giants can hurt the Cowboys, as evidenced by Russell Wilson early last season, is outside cornerback. Dallas has a revamped secondary going into 2026 on paper. But in reality, they have a lot to prove.
DaRon Bland is fresh off of back-to-back offseason foot surgeries. Cobie Durant is a solid corner, but the Rams sought to upgrade the CB room he was a part of because it was one of its weaknesses last year. As for Shavon Revel Jr., he’s a huge question mark.
Even Caleb Downs, who is likely bound for a top-tier NFL career, faces a potential mismatch vs Nabers if they square off in the slot. After all, it will be Downs’ first NFL game.
None of this is to say the Giants stand no chance against the Cowboys without Nabers. With Harbaugh at the wheel, they’re likely to pull off upsets here and there. But having their best wide receiver against a defense with plenty to prove would sure be fortunate.
Even if he takes the field, questions exist about what he will look like following two knee surgeries since October.