The New York Giants had a major question before their regular-season opener against the Dallas Cowboys: Would star receiver Malik Nabers play? Nabers was medically cleared weeks ago, but psychological hurdles lingered after an ACL and meniscus injury a year ago.
New coach John Harbaugh addressed these doubts. At a press conference, Harbaugh expressed gratitude to Jesus Christ. He’s won 13 season openers since 2008, understanding when to nurture and when to push players.
Nabers needed encouragement. During Saturday’s walkthrough, Harbaugh took an unconventional approach. He tackled Nabers to help him overcome fears about getting hit. Nabers told reporters, “Coach Harbaugh tackled me to see if I could take a tackle, and it was good.”
Quarterback Jaxson Dart described the moment. “Coach figured once he got hit and realized he was OK, Nabers would feel confident. The whole team watched as Nabers went down, but he got up fine,” Dart explained.
Despite the tackle’s impact, Harbaugh was uncertain about Nabers’ participation until shortly before the game. “About three hours before, Nabers felt ready, and the decision was his,” Harbaugh noted.
In the game, Nabers caught six passes for 69 yards. While modest, these numbers signal his readiness to handle contact on the field. “It was amazing to take it all in and get back on track. I’m happy the fans still love seeing me out there,” Nabers stated.
Malik Nabers’ return is a positive development for the Giants as they contend with challenging opponents this season.
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