The New York Giants take on the Dallas Cowboys this Sunday on NFL Sunday Night Football for their first big test. One of their biggest stars touched on his availability for Week 1.
This is the key line, in my opinion.
— Ryan Dunleavy (@rydunleavy) September 10, 2026
"I can't put my career at risk" to play one game. #Giants https://t.co/YAMvIaYmIP
Malik Nabers suffered a torn ACL last season that put his season to an end and has been doing rehab this offseason. The Giants star has looked great in camp and may be available for Week 1.
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Malik Nabers puts his availability in his hands

Malik Nabers’ injury was serious, and with knee injuries like this, it’s common to have fluctuating days—some days feeling fully recovered, while others may only feel partially ready. Should Malik Nabers take the field, he will likely be on a limited snap count, with hopes of gradual improvement as the season progresses.
Nabers is still one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, and people are starting to underestimate his ability because of the significant injury that he suffered against the Los Angeles Chargers. Can he return to his rookie form?
For this game, there is lots at stake, as the Giants have not beaten the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1 since 2016, when Ben McAdoo was the head coach for New York and Dak Prescott was in his rookie season.
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The Impact of Malik Nabers

The offense was at its best in training camp when Malik Nabers participated in 11-on-11. The drop-off in production for this offense was a big gap, and if he does not play, then the Giants offense might struggle against this revamped defense. Dallas was one of the worst teams against the pass last season
The Giants’ offense this year will mainly be on the ground with Cam Skattebo, but Malik Nabers, in his career, has been extremely good against the Dallas Cowboys. In his career, he has caught at least eight passes per game and at least 69 or more yards. Last year, he exploded with two touchdowns and 167 yards. If he is good to go, he might have another impressive game under the lights in MetLife.
At the end of the day, Malik Nabers has the final call because it’s his body. He wants to play in the league for a long time, and ACL injuries can halt players’ careers, depending on how significant the injury is. Now, Giants fans will be playing the waiting game and hoping their superstar receiver is on the field for their first contest.
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