New York Giants star wide receiver Malik Nabers has shared the inspiring words backup quarterback Jameis Winston offered him following his devastating ACL tear on September 28 during the team’s victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Nabers, the former LSU standout, had been off to a promising start in his sophomore season with the Giants. Before his injury, he’d hauled in 18 receptions for 271 yards and found the endzone twice in just four games.
The promising campaign came to an abrupt halt in Week 4 when he suffered what was later confirmed as a torn ACL – an injury that prematurely ended his 2025 season.
During his end-of-season media availability this week, Nabers revealed a particularly meaningful conversation with Winston that helped shift his perspective about the long recovery ahead.
When Nabers questioned why the injury had happened to him, Winston responded with characteristic wisdom.
“Why not you? Why not go back to the bottom and try to find your way back to the top?” the former Heisman Trophy winner told him – a classic “Winston-ism” that seemed to resonate with the young receiver as he faces the challenging rehab process.
The injury interrupted what many expected to be a breakout year following Nabers’ remarkable rookie campaign in which he caught 109 passes for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns – establishing himself as one of the league’s most promising young receivers.
His ACL tear occurred before the Giants made the switch to rookie quarterback Jaxon Dart. This timing means Nabers hasn’t yet had the opportunity to develop on-field chemistry with the team’s promising first-year signal-caller – something that could be crucial for the offense’s development next season.
Despite hopes for a quick recovery, Nabers wouldn’t commit to being ready for Week 1 of the 2026 season when asked about his timeline – a cautious approach typical of athletes recovering from such significant injuries.
When Nabers does eventually return to action, he’ll be playing under new leadership. The Giants are actively searching for a head coach after firing Brian Daboll mid-season. Reports suggest John Harbaugh is currently the frontrunner for the position – a development that could significantly impact the team’s offensive approach going forward.