New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers is believed to have suffered a torn ACL on Sunday, according to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network:
Giants WR Malik Nabers is believed to have torn his ACL, per @RapSheet & @TomPelissero pic.twitter.com/34TC6HTmSN
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) September 28, 2025
Fantasy football players obviously will be concerned about the status of the Giants' stud wideout, who totaled 16 catches, 251 yards, and 2 TDs across his first three games.
Keep reading for how such a significant loss would impact new starting QB Jaxson Dart, the Giants' WR depth chart, New York's offense in general, and the next steps Nabers' fantasy managers should take.
Malik Nabers feared to have torn ACL
The NFL Network insiders are reporting that the team's thinking lines up with fantasy players' fears: The frequent Round 1 fantasy football pick may miss the rest of the 2025 season.
We'll await confirmation before advising redraft fantasy players to drop him, but it's not looking good.
What does this mean for the Giants' fantasy players?
FIND PICKUPS TO REPLACE NABERS: Week 5 waiver wire
Wan'Dale Robinson's fantasy value increases
The most immediate player to fell the fallout would be Robinson, who has already shown flashes of weekly fantasy utility.
Robinson averaged 9 targets, 7 catches and 98.5 receiving yards with a touchdown across the first two weeks before a 1-catch Week 3 dud.
The 5-foot-8, 185-pounder in no way makes up for Nabers' size and red-zone reliability but should become the first read from Dart or whoever is under center.
This is more significant in point-per-reception leagues, where he likely locks into WR3/flex territory most weeks.
Jaxson Dart fantasy outlook without Malik Nabers
Already a QB2 in a typical fantasy football league, Dart would remain a matchup-dependent streamer or bye-week fill-in in any game that starts one quarterback.
Dart likely has long been picked up in any superflex or 2QB setups, and while him gaining the starting job has thrust him into superflex or No. 2 QB fantasy consideration most weeks, going at it without Nabers for any amount of time significantly decreases his standalone value outside of tasty matchups.
While his legs can generate plenty of value on their own, the lack of a true alpha receiver would downgrade his weekly ceiling significantly.
Unfortunately, Jaxson Dart suffered a Week 4 injury that may cloud his immediate outlook.
Would other Giants see increased fantasy value with Nabers sidelined?
To various degrees, other receiving options could hold some intrigue.
- Darius Slayton and Jalin Hyatt would be next in line among wideouts, but neither would constitute a safe play. Slayton is the better PPR target. Hyatt's deep-play ability gives him the edge elsewhere for now.
- Tight end Theo Johnson could become more involved in the receiving game, especially with Dart taking over starting duties. He's only a streamer at the moment, though.
- The Giants may incorporate RB Devin Singletary more often in the passing game to complement Cam Skattebo, a potentially impactful receiver in his own right, depending on the timetable for a return by Tyrone Tracy (shoulder).