The New York Giants are refusing to rush their star rookie, and that is the smartest move they have made all offseason. Despite a torn ACL that cost him most of last year, Malik Nabers is not on the Physically Unable to Perform list, so he can practice right now.. The team wants him at his absolute best, even if that takes longer than fans might hope.
No Rush to Full Speed
Head coach John Harbaugh made it clear that there is no fixed schedule for Nabers to return to full action. He told reporters that the plan changes every single day based on how the knee feels. “We’ll see where he’s at … How it feels. How it responds … We’ll just take it one day at a time,” Harbaugh said, according to Big Blue View. This approach removes the pressure to force a timeline that could hurt the player later.
Nabers did not wear a knee brace during his first practice at The Greenbrier Sports Performance Center. He ran routes and did agility drills, which is a massive step forward for a 23-year-old who needed two surgeries. The fact that he is moving without a brace suggests the rehab is going exactly as planned. Harbaugh noted that he does not think Nabers will be scheduled for a full practice for a little while yet..
Building Chemistry From Scratch
Quarterback Jaxson Dart admits he barely worked with Nabers last season, which makes these early reps critical for their future. Dart said he only had “a quarter, and one week, really, of reps with him last year,” per Big Blue View. That lack of time together is a real hurdle, but Dart believes the communication they are building now will pay off when games start.
Dart and Nabers even stayed after practice to play catch, showing a genuine desire to connect on a personal level. Dart said seeing Nabers on the field “makes everybody happy” because of the energy he brings to the group. “He definitely has a presence about him. His presence on the field creates an aura that is exhilarating.. It makes me happy,” Dart said. The Giants need that spark if they want to climb the standings.
The Only Real Timeline
While the rest of the team runs full drills, Nabers will likely stay limited for now. According to Big Blue View, Harbaugh said the only real play he would offer is that “I don’t think he’ll be scheduled for a full practice for a little while yet.”. This is not a sign of weakness but a sign of caution. The Giants know that rushing a rookie back could cost them the entire season.
The stats from Nabers’ rookie year prove he is worth the wait. He caught a franchise record 109 passes for 1,204 yards in 2024.. Those numbers show why the team is so careful with his health. They are not just protecting a player; they are protecting the most promising offense they have had in years.
