This Malik Nabers update is very concerning for the New York Giants.
When the New York Giants lost wide receiver Malik Nabers to a torn ACL back in Week 4, the general expectation was that he would be ready for Week 1 in 2026.
But is it possible Nabers could be sidelined for longer than anyone anticipated?
Earlier this week, Connor Hughes of SNY revealed that Nabers had been walking around with a cane, and the former first-round draft pick said "I had a lot messed up in my knee."
Well, that sounds pretty alarming.
Sports doctor Jesse Morse then took to social media to post his theory on the situation, suggesting that Nabers tore more than just his ACL back in late September.
"The fact that he’s over 3 months out and still on crutches is concerning, and might mean he either had: his meniscus repaired or had a 2nd ligament reconstructed or had a setback," Morse wrote on X.
But it gets worse: Morse than hypothesized that Nabers could miss time in 2026.
"His recovery might be closer to 12-15 months as opposed to 9-12 months," Morse wrote. "There’s a possibility he starts the 2026 season on the PUP and doesn’t make his debut until mid-season."
New York Giants receiver Malik Nabers. Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images.This would basically be worst-case scenario for the Giants, who also have Wan'Dale Robinson slated to hit free agency.
Now, New York may find itself in a position where it has to re-sign Robinson in spite of not having much cap room, and the Giants might also have to spend their first-round pick on a wide receiver if Nabers isn't ready ... or if his long-term outlook is in jeopardy.
When healthy, Nabers is one of the best receivers in football, and he is expected to be Jaxson Dart's No. 1 guy for the future. But if Nabers is compromised in any way, New York is in deep trouble.
The LSU product missing the first few games of next season wouldn't be a major deal. That's not the primary issue here. It's the fact that Nabers might never be the again.
To be clear, we don't really know exactly what is going on with Nabers. Maybe his recovery time is just going to be a bit longer than usual. That wouldn't be a huge problem. But there is no question that Nabers' comments were frightening, to say the least.
If the Giants know something about Nabers' prognosis that we don't, it will almost certainly show in their offseason decision-making. And that could ultimately destroy their chances of plugging the numerous holes they have this spring.