Malik Nabers Returns to Full Team Drills, Sheds Red Non-Contact Jersey
Nabers played 13 snaps and caught six passes in his first practice without the red non-contact jersey since tearing his ACL last season, and Harbaugh called it "reasonable to assume" he's ready for the opener.
Malik Nabers practiced in full team drills without his red non-contact jersey for the first time this training camp Monday, playing 13 snaps and catching six passes, according to Newsday's Evan Barnes, who covered the practice on-site.
The update follows GiantsGator's report Sunday that Harbaugh called shedding the jersey a possibility, without committing to a timetable.
His first six snaps were run-blocking reps. He was targeted starting on his seventh snap, catching six passes including a diving grab, with one pass going off his hands. The Giants practiced in shells, not full pads.
Coach John Harbaugh would not say outright that Nabers will play in the Sept. 13 season opener against Dallas. “I think it's reasonable to assume that,” Harbaugh said. “Those are all kind of things you can assume. It's just based on watching the guy practice.” Harbaugh said Nabers was “moving the best we've seen him look” this summer.
Nabers tore his ACL and meniscus against the Chargers on Sept. 28, 2025. He underwent a second surgery, to clean up scar tissue, a few weeks before mid-May, according to Bleacher Report's account of Harbaugh's comments at the time. He first wore the red non-contact jersey Aug. 13, played through consecutive-rep 7-on-7 drills Aug. 18, and sat out the Giants' Aug. 20 joint practice with Miami.
“He's doing real well with that,” Harbaugh said of Nabers' rehab. “He's strong. He's in a good place. But how he gets through practice, how ready he is to play and protect himself, is really based on practice.”
The Giants move to full pads Tuesday. They close the preseason Friday against the Jets at MetLife Stadium, then open the regular season Sept. 13 against Dallas.
Tight end Theo Johnson left Monday's practice early after colliding with outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux. He was slow to get up and seemed angry leaving the field, but walked to the locker room under his own power. Harbaugh said he thinks Johnson will be OK and hadn't gotten word the injury was serious, but said he'd know more later.