Giants GM Joe Schoen remains optimistic Malik Nabers can play Week 1 despite knee rehab

New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen said he still expects wide receiver Malik Nabers to be available for Week 1, even as the franchise continues to monitor his recovery from a difficult knee timeline. Speaking to Yahoo Sports, Schoen framed the message as cautious optimism, pointing to day-to-day progress while acknowledging that rehab from a major knee injury does not move on anyone’s schedule.

Nabers’ situation has been under a brighter spotlight since he suffered a torn ACL last September and then required another surgery earlier this offseason, described as a cleanup procedure to address scar tissue. According to, the second operation is one of the factors that kept questions alive about whether the receiver could be ready to practice, build timing with his quarterback, and take the reps expected of a true offensive centerpiece.

Schoen’s position is not a guarantee, but it is a clear indicator of how the Giants are thinking about their early-season plan. He told Yahoo Sports, “I still think he’ll be fine Week 1,” and added that Nabers is “trending in the right direction,” emphasizing the reality that progress is not instant and can vary from patient to patient. The Giants open the season on Sept. 13 against the Dallas Cowboys, a matchup that would carry added weight if Nabers is sidelined while the offense builds rhythm with other options.

Giants head coach John Harbaugh, speaking earlier in the offseason, offered a more noncommittal tone that reflected the uncertainty that often surrounds return-to-play decisions after an ACL and subsequent surgery. Harbaugh characterized Nabers as “in the slog” and said it was “impossible to predict,” while also stressing the process of working every day and taking the steps needed to be ready. That contrast between Schoen’s optimism and Harbaugh’s cautious language underscores how teams try to balance public confidence with medical reality.

For New York, Nabers’ potential absence would affect more than one spot on the depth chart. As a young, high-volume target, he is central to the Giants’ passing game identity, shaping how defenders play the formation and how the quarterback distributes the ball across the route tree. Still, the team has indicated it intends to keep the offense functioning if Nabers is not at full speed, leaning on the broader receiving group and complementary roles from tight ends and other playmakers.

At the same time, the Giants have continued to invest in the receiving room this offseason, moves that can serve two purposes. They can be a bridge during a recovery window, and they also raise the floor of the offense even if the team eventually gets Nabers back at full capability. The practical question for the next several weeks is whether Nabers can progress from controlled work to full practice workload without setbacks, and whether the team treats him as a full go option for Week 1 or a situational usage plan.

What to watch next is the cadence of Nabers’ practice participation as training camp approaches, including whether he can build consistent route running and timing rather than only individual rehab sessions. If Schoen’s optimism holds, the Giants will get their No. 1 receiver back for an early test against one of the league’s most scrutinized defensive matchups. If not, New York’s offseason additions and coaching adjustments will determine how quickly the offense can compensate.

Either outcome will still be meaningful for New York’s season arc. The Giants are trying to establish a reliable passing attack early, because early-season chemistry can influence how much risk the team is willing to take when the schedule tightens. Nabers’ knee recovery is therefore not only a player story, it is a key operational variable for the Giants’ entire offensive plan.