John Harbaugh admits Malik Nabers Week 1 availability is an uncertain goal
NEW YORK — The New York Giants’ goal with Malik Nabers is to get him back on the practice field during training camp and ready for their Week 1 regular season opener against the Dallas Cowboys. But they might not hit that goal right on the mark. Head coach John Harbaugh acknowledged Thursday after the team’s third OTA practice that Nabers’ availability for the start of the regular season is uncertain, although Nabers is currently in the building rehabbing and striving toward that goal.
“If he’s out there, great,” Harbaugh said of Week 1. “If he’s not, great. ” The coach said Nabers’ surgery and recovery are “not a simple” knee rehab, given that doctors had to repair both his right ACL and meniscus.
Then Nabers had a second surgery recently to clean up scar tissue, as The Athletic reported. It seems clear that the Giants understand it would be wise to develop an offensive identity that does not lean too hard on Nabers, 22, who might not be on the field at the start of the season. That way when he does return, hopefully his explosiveness takes them from good to great.
“An ACL is a tough injury,” left tackle Andrew Thomas said. “But we’re gonna be ready for him when he comes back. Malik’s a game changer.
” With both Nabers and Darius Slayton (sports hernia surgery) not practicing, a ton of receivers had opportunities to catch passes from Jaxson Dart during Thursday’s indoor practice, from veteran Darnell Mooney to Ryan Miller. Dart connected most consistently with the running backs, though, particularly Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary in the flats.