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Malik Nabers weighs Week 1 return from injuries

By Drooid · Sep 12, 2026, 2:26 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Malik Nabers Return

Malik Nabers is deciding whether to play in Week 1 versus the Dallas Cowboys.
He suffered a torn ACL, meniscus and partial labrum tear in Week 4 of the 2025 season.
He underwent ACL and meniscus repair in September 2025 and scar-tissue removal in May 2026.
He fully participated in padded practices on August 24 and August 31 2026.
Nabers told reporters the decision is his, saying “it’s my career, it’s my body.”

Summary

Giants Promote Berrios

Giants cut veteran receiver Darius Slayton, leaving four receivers on the roster before Week 1.
Giants plan to promote practice-squad wideout Braxton Berrios to the active 53-man roster for Sunday.
Tight end Theo Johnson remains listed with a shoulder injury, potentially limiting 12-personnel packages.
Cowboys added rookie safety Caleb Downs, presenting a new challenge for the Giants’ passing attack.

History

Historical Context

Since the 1993 collective bargaining agreement introduced a revenue-based salary cap—extended in 1998 and tightened by the 2011 and 2020 deals—NFL teams must cut or reshuffle players to stay under the limit. The New York Giants’ 2010 release of Plaxico Burress and the 2025-26 cuts of Darius Slayton reflect this cap discipline, which now gives players about 48 % of league revenue.

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Malik Nabers Return

Malik Nabers is deciding whether to play in Week 1 versus the Dallas Cowboys.
He suffered a torn ACL, meniscus and partial labrum tear in Week 4 of the 2025 season.
He underwent ACL and meniscus repair in September 2025 and scar-tissue removal in May 2026.
He fully participated in padded practices on August 24 and August 31 2026.
Nabers told reporters the decision is his, saying “it’s my career, it’s my body.”

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