Malik Nabers Injury Update: Giants’ Star Carted Off

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers was carted off late in the second quarter of Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers after sustaining a right-knee injury on a deep pass. He was ruled out for the remainder of the contest and is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday amid early reports that the team fears a torn ACL.

The tone in East Rutherford flipped from excitement to concern when Jaxson Dart — making his first NFL start — lofted a deep ball down the right sideline and Malik Nabers went up to contest it. Nabers came down clutching his right knee, stayed down for several long moments, and was carted off the field with 6:12 left in the second quarter. The Giants announced he would not return.

Initial reports from league insiders indicate the Giants expect the worst: a possible torn ACL. The team has scheduled an MRI for Monday to confirm the diagnosis, per reports citing league sources and veteran injury reporters. That MRI will determine whether Nabers faces surgery and a multi-month recovery, or a less severe rehab timeline.

Nabers’ absence is a gut punch for a Giants offense that had been gaining momentum. After an electric rookie year — when he set franchise marks with 109 catches for 1,204 yards — Nabers entered Week 4 leading New York with 16 receptions for 251 yards this season. He was playing a pivotal role in helping rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart settle into the lineup, and losing him shifts the offensive focus immediately.

On the play itself, Nabers leapt for the ball on a free play (the Chargers had jumped offsides) and landed awkwardly. Cameras and sideline reaction captured teammates and staff immediately swarming the area — a visual that deepened fears across the stadium and among fans online. Social media filled quickly with concern and criticism of MetLife’s turf, with many supporters blaming the surface for the growing list of knee injuries around the league.

What it means for the Giants now: New York will lean on its receiving depth and adjust its game plan. Wan’Dale Robinson, Darius Slayton, Jalin Hyatt and others will shoulder bigger targets and route responsibilities as the coaching staff searches for ways to replace Nabers’ explosive downfield play. The loss also raises questions about how the offense will continue to help Dart develop without its clear WR1.

Fantasy and roster ramifications are immediate. Nabers had been a weekly anchor for fantasy lineups; an ACL-confirmed diagnosis would effectively remove him from the season and force managers to find replacements fast. Analysts and fantasy outlets are already updating rankings and waiver advice in real time as more information becomes available.

Timeline and medical context: If the MRI confirms an ACL tear, typical recovery after ACL reconstruction for NFL receivers ranges from 9 to 12 months before returning to full in-game snaps, though individual outcomes vary. Modern surgical techniques and rehab programs have improved outcomes substantially, but the short-term impact is a season-ending projection in most cases. The MRI results will be the decisive next step.

Coach and team statements: The Giants ruled Nabers out for the remainder of the game and provided limited public detail immediately after the incident — a common approach until imaging can confirm the diagnosis. The team, media staff and sideline medical personnel prioritized getting Nabers to the locker room and onto definitive testing.

Fan reaction and broader conversation: The injury reopened a familiar debate about playing surfaces and player safety, with fans and commentators pointing to MetLife Stadium’s turf in heated posts across platforms. Whether or not turf played a role, the moment underscored how fragile momentum can be for a franchise trying to build around young talent.

Bottom line: Until the MRI is read, the team and fans are bracing for a worst-case scenario. Malik Nabers’ injury is both an immediate competitive setback for the Giants and a longer-term uncertainty depending on the MRI results. Expect updates Monday once imaging is complete, and plan for the roster and offensive game plan to shift quickly in the meantime.