Giants Star Malik Nabers Will Play Against Cowboys in Week 1

New York Giants star wide receiver Malik Nabers will make his return in Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys, as he is officially active.

Nabers tore his ACL in Week 4 of the 2025 season and was questionable ahead of the Giants' 2026 opener.

It's pivotal to have Nabers back on the field as he is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL when healthy. In his rookie season in 2024, he had 109 receptions for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns.

In four games in the 2025 season, Nabers had 18 receptions for 271 yards and two touchdowns. 

The 23-year-old will be the top weapon for New York's passing attack, with quarterback Jaxson Dart looking to take a leap in his second season. Dart had a solid rookie campaign in 2025, completing 63.7 percent of his passes for 2,272 yards, 15 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He was also effective on the ground, rushing for 487 yards and nine touchdowns on 86 carries.

If Dart can develop chemistry with Nabers, they could quickly become one of the best quarterback-wide receiver tandems in the league.

Behind Nabers, the Giants will need other receivers like Malachi Fields, Odell Beckham Jr., and Darnell Mooney to step up.

Fields is entering his rookie year after a solid college career, as he had 165 receptions for 2,479 yards and 16 touchdowns across five seasons. 

Mooney is coming off a solid year with the Atlanta Falcons in 2025, as he hauled in 32 receptions for 443 yards and a touchdown. Beckham is the other contributor and was once a star, but hasn't appeared in a game since the 2024 season.

Outside of the passing attack, the Giants can lean on second-year running back Cam Skattebo. Skattebo was very effective in his rookie year, rushing for 410 yards and five touchdowns, along with 24 receptions for 207 yards and two touchdowns in eight games before suffering a season-ending injury.

With Dart, Nabers, and Skattebo all healthy, New York's offense has a ton of potential and will be on full display against Dallas on Sunday Night Football.