Giants' Malik Nabers Says the 'Dog' in Him Is 'Barking,' Talks Week 1 Status Amid Injury Recovery

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers seems motivated to return to the field for a regular-season game as he recovers from the torn ACL he suffered during the 2025 campaign.

"That dog in me, it's barking a little bit," he told reporters when explaining he wasn't actually upset when he went to the ground in practice:

Nabers hasn't played since Sept. 28 of last year, and he discussed how difficult the recovery process has been and how he is prioritizing his health when assessing whether he will be ready to go for Week 1:

New York starts the new season on Sept. 13 against the rival Dallas Cowboys.

Nabers wouldn't commit to being ready to take the field for that game and had more of a long-term approach with his health.

That shouldn't be surprising, as he is just 23 years old with a bright future ahead of him even though he is coming back from a serious injury. Another setback because he rushed his return would be quite the blow for both him and the team's overall outlook, so a cautious approach is the correct one.

When he does return, the Giants will be getting one of the most promising young receivers back for their aerial attack. He posted 109 catches for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns as a Pro Bowler in his rookie season in 2024 and is surely looking to build on that when he does return to the lineup this season.

It just remains to be seen whether that return will be in Week 1.