Giants’ worst Malik Nabers injury fears confirmed in devastating blow

Malik Nabers’ encore to his fantastic rookie season is over too soon.

An MRI performed Monday confirmed fears that the Giants’ star receiver suffered a season-ending torn ACL in his right knee, according to multiple reports. It was not said whether any other ligaments or the meniscus sustained damage, which would add to the complexity of Nabers’ recovery.

The timing of Nabers’ injury – which occurred in the second quarter Sunday against the Chargers, when his knee buckled as he jumped for inside position on a sideline route – is the definition of the woebegone complaint from fans, “Why can’t the Giants have nice things?”

Just as rookie Jaxson Dart is stepping into the starting role and the offense underwent overhaul to use more tempo and intermediate routes, Nabers is sidelined. The connection that could determine the future of the Giants will have to wait until 2026 to play more than a half of a game together.

Nabers, 22, had 18 catches for 271 yards and two touchdowns in four games at the start of his second season. He had 109 catches for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns last season without the kind of quarterback stability that Dart is expected to provide while going through his growing pains.

“I just told him that I loved him and I was there for him,” said Wan’Dale Robinson, who tore his ACL in 2022. “Seeing his face, I remember how I felt when I had the knee. Hopefully it’s not to that extent, but if it is I know I’ll be there with him every step of the way to make sure he’s all right and knows exactly what he has to do. He’ll attack everything like he does already – wanting to be the best.”

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There is no replacing Nabers – a top 10 or better receiver in the NFL.

The Giants will turn to Robinson (18 catches for 237 yards and a touchdown) and Darius Slayton (leading receiver for the Giants in four of his first season seasons) as their 1-2 punch.

“Keep getting open,” Robinson said. “There might be a little bit more opportunity now, different ways to get me the ball. At the end of the day, be friendly for (Dart).”

Jalin Hyatt, who has no catches in four games and has been trending in the wrong direction ever since producing some highlights as a rookie in 2023, should receive a long-awaited chance to slide into the top-three. He did not play in either of the first two games of the season.

Beaux Collins is an undrafted rookie and Gunner Olszewski primarily is a returner. Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Ihmir Smith-Marsette and rookie Dalen Cambre are on the practice squad.

If the Giants look to the outside, there is one familiar name sure to draw clamoring.

Except that free agent Odell Beckham Jr. – a one-time Giants star whose own career included a devastating torn ACL suffered against the Chargers – was a non-factor (nine catches for 55 yards) in nine games with the Dolphins last season and hasn’t been part of an NFL practice since last December.

Gabe Davis, who is a favorite of general manager Joe Schoen and Daboll, is an injured member of the Bills practice squad. He visited the Giants during the offseason for a medical evaluation as he recovered from meniscus surgery last November.

“I’m prepared for this,” Slayton said. “This is what I prepare for in the offseason. Obviously, it’s going to be a group effort, but we’ll be able to get the job done going forward.”