Malik Nabers opens up about mental toll of ACL recovery

Fantasy football: The Giants receiver reveals his internal battle during rehab but is healthy entering Week 10 with an 11th-ranked matchup against Washington.

By Fantasy Roundup Staff · November 12, 2026 · Updated November 15, 2026

Malik Nabers tore the ACL and meniscus in his right knee during Week 4 against the Chargers and revealed to ESPN the mental challenge that came with a difficult recovery. The Giants receiver said he lost himself in the rehab process, going through days when his knee swelled and didn't bend, with his progress resembling the stock market at its most volatile. He kept to himself during the recovery, fighting an internal battle he described as being at a loss for words and empty, not knowing what the future held.

Nabers is now fully healthy entering Week 10 against Washington on Thursday night. He practised in full all week with a knee designation but is cleared to play. He caught 5 of 8 targets for 43 yards in Week 9 against Philadelphia and has averaged 10.7 targets and 14.6 half-PPR points across his last 3 games. Washington has allowed 28.1 half-PPR points a game to receivers, the 11th most of 32, setting up a solid matchup for Nabers as a WR1 option.

Fantasy impact

Player by player

Malik Nabers

Nabers practised in full on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday with a knee designation after missing Thursday practice last week but returning Friday and playing in Week 9. He is cleared to play Thursday night against Washington with no lingering concerns. Over his last 3 games he has averaged 79% of snaps, a 33% target share, 10.7 targets and 14.6 half-PPR points a game. Over those 3 games his WOPR averaged 0.75 (12th of 189 receivers) and his air yards share averaged 37% (17th of 189 receivers).

Washington has allowed 28.1 half-PPR points a game to receivers, the 11th most of 32, making this an easier-than-most matchup for Nabers. Our models give him a Roundup Score of 84 out of 99, ranking him WR9 (26th overall), and project 11.9 half-PPR points a game. He is scoring about what his usage predicts over his last 3 games (+0.0 half-PPR points a game), so his points match his role. Start Nabers as a WR1 in all formats Thursday night, trusting his elite target volume and favourable matchup despite the lower yardage total in Week 9's defensive battle with Philadelphia.

Cam Skattebo

Skattebo missed Week 9 with a hamstring strain suffered in Week 7 but is cleared to play Thursday night against Washington. He was limited in Monday's walkthrough, then a full participant on Tuesday and Wednesday. In his last game in Week 7, Skattebo carried 17 times for 124 yards and a touchdown with 1 catch for -3 yards on 1 target, totalling 18.6 half-PPR points on 56% of snaps.

Over his last 3 games, Skattebo has averaged 16 carries and 80.3 rushing yards a game on a 61% snap share, though just 1.7 targets a game. He is scoring 1.8 half-PPR points a game above what his usage predicts over that window, so some touchdown or big-play luck that may not repeat. Washington has allowed 17.3 half-PPR points a game to running backs, the 7th fewest of 32. Our models give him a Roundup Score of 74 out of 99, ranking him RB18 (47th overall), and project 10.36 half-PPR points a game. Start Skattebo as a low-end RB2 or flex in standard and full-PPR formats, banking on his rushing volume in what should be a competitive divisional matchup.

What to do

• Start Nabers as a WR1 in all formats Thursday night against Washington, trusting his 10.7 targets a game over his last 3 games and an 11th-ranked matchup.

• Start Skattebo as a low-end RB2 or flex Thursday night, cleared from his hamstring injury with 16 carries a game over his last 3 games.

• Monitor the inactive list about 90 minutes before the 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff for any late changes, though both players are expected to start.