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ESPN's Jordan Raanan reported that Malik Nabers will not start Giants training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, a development Adam Schefter called "a good sign." Multiple outlets had projected Nabers would begin camp on the PUP list, so avoiding it is a notable step in the right direction.
This matters beyond just optics. If a player is on the PUP list when the regular season roster is finalized, he is forced to miss the first four games. Nabers staying off the list keeps a Week 1 return on the table.
The Injury Was Serious
Nabers tore his ACL and partially tore his lateral meniscus on Sept. 28, 2025, against the Los Angeles Chargers. He had surgery roughly a month later. Then this past spring, he needed a second cleanup procedure to remove scar tissue that was causing stiffness in his knee.
Giants head coach John Harbaugh acknowledged it was "not a simple knee" injury, which is why his timeline heading into 2026 camp was genuinely uncertain.
Veterans report to The Greenbrier in West Virginia on July 28, which happens to be Nabers' 23rd birthday. Raanan noted that the Giants will be watching closely how Nabers moves and when he is able to practice, so there is still work to do before his availability for the opener against the Dallas Cowboys is confirmed.
Fantasy Impact
Nabers' ADP had been sliding in best ball formats, dropping from a mid-second-round value down to early Round 4 as injury uncertainty piled up. Avoiding the PUP list should stabilize that or push it back up.
The talent case for Nabers is easy to make when healthy. In his 2024 rookie season, he posted a 31.7% target share (No. 3 among receivers) and averaged 17.6 fantasy points per game (No. 7 overall). He is the clear top option in New York, with Jaxson Dart at quarterback and a depth chart behind him that includes Darnell Mooney, Darius Slayton, Calvin Austin III, Malachi Fields, and Odell Beckham Jr.
The PUP news does not guarantee a Week 1 return, but it is the first concrete positive signal fantasy managers have had in months. Monitor his practice participation throughout camp before locking in your draft board.
