The Giants may have just secured their first massive win of 2026 before the season even begins
Wide receiver Malik Nabers practiced at the start of Giants’ training camp after torn ACL, and his return drew rave reviews from the jump.
The New York Giants have their first big win of 2026, and the regular season hasn’t even started yet: Wide receiver Malik Nabers is practicing in training camp, and the first impressions are great. Nabers was not placed on the physically unable to perform list, and based on the first glimpses from camp, Nabers looks ready to make a huge impact for the Giants this season.
Nabers played only four games last season because of a torn ACL, and the situation was even more serious because he also suffered a partially torn right lateral meniscus. The expectation was initially that he could miss some time to start the season, but that won’t be the case. He’s ready to roll.
First impressions from camp
The early reviews from Giants training camp couldn’t be better. Quarterback Jaxson Dart weighed in on Nabers on Wednesday.
“I mean, it’s Leek. That’s it,” Dart said. “Every time he’s on the field, everybody knows where he’s at.”
Giants head coach John Harbaugh offered his own take, and it’s clear how much he trusts Nabers to make an impact.
“It was great. You saw him,” Harbaugh mentioned. “He’s got a process going. I thought he looked good.”
Nabers is one of the most electric young weapons in the NFL. He’s only 23 years old, a first-round pick back in 2024, and in his rookie season he posted 109 receptions, 1,204 yards, and seven touchdowns. Last season, before the torn ACL, he had 271 yards and two touchdowns in four games.
The former LSU product is one of the most efficient receivers in the league, and he produced those numbers without a necessarily established quarterback situation in New York. With Dart potentially becoming the franchise quarterback for the Giants and Nabers getting healthier by the day, the offense could get back on track. Nabers already had a phenomenal rookie season, but a full 2026 campaign gives him the chance to establish himself as a truly elite weapon in the league.
Big early-season tests ahead
The Giants open the regular season on Sept. 13 against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium. Then they travel to face the Los Angeles Rams in Week 2. Those are significant challenges early in the schedule, and having Nabers ready to go from the jump will be massive for the team. If he keeps this momentum through camp, New York’s offense could look like a different unit from the start.