Malik Nabers Week 1 outlook vs. Cowboys improving
By Michael
Malik Nabers Week 1 outlook is trending positive
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers is increasingly expected to play in Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys, barring a setback, according to Adam Schefter and Field Yates. That is a meaningful shift from earlier this offseason, when Schefter himself said on the Pat McAfee Show that a Week 1 return sounded "a little ambitious" and felt more unlikely than likely.
Nabers tore his right ACL in Week 4 of the season against the Los Angeles Chargers and later had a second procedure to remove scar tissue causing stiffness in his knee. The Athletic's Dan Duggan reported the cleanup surgery and said it took place multiple weeks before his report. Duggan has also said it is "fair to be optimistic" about a Week 1 return.
What Giants GM Joe Schoen actually said
Schoen told Yahoo Sports' Jori Epstein: "I still think he'll be fine Week 1. So we'll see. He's trending in the right direction. Again, these things take time, so it's not instant. Every patient is different."
He also added: "It's going to be a grind when he starts playing again, too, to get back right."
Nabers was not placed on the PUP list when training camp opened, which multiple outlets flagged as a positive sign. He is not yet practicing, and it is considered highly unlikely he will appear in any preseason games.
What this means for your fantasy roster
Nabers starting Week 1 is now the working assumption for fantasy purposes, but it is not a lock. The Giants could still place him on injured reserve, which would make him ineligible until Week 5. If you drafted Nabers expecting full availability from the jump, keep an eye on whether he practices before the opener and whether the Giants rule out the IR option entirely. Hold him, but have a backup plan for the first few weeks.