Why the Giants Offensive Catalysts Could Redefine 2026

The New York Football Giants had a messy 2025 season. They lost several of their best players to major injuries, and the team had lost all hope of going anywhere in the league. Instead, they tanked down to the fifth pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. However, the players who sustained major injuries will be returning for the new year. Both Cam Skattebo and Malik Nabers have made amazing recoveries and are preparing to run and make explosive breakthroughs for the Giants again. 

Nabers went out for the season after tearing his ACL and meniscus in Week Four of the regular season. He was one of the most electrifying players for Big Blue, keeping the momentum going from his rookie season. The 2024 Pro Bowl wide receiver and quarterback, Jaxson Dart, worked well together on the field, maintaining constant contact to keep the ball moving. After his injury, the Giants started losing a ton of games. Yet, Nabers rehab has been going well, and fans are ready to see his return to the field. 

However, there is concern that Nabers may not be the same route-runner he was before. He may come back the same, but he may also come back chasing something he’d lost. Nabers may be ready to go by the first week of training camp. There won’t be explosive runs right away, but there will be small sparks of Nabers’ pre-ACL tear showing. By the time the regular season comes around, there may be a chance that he will be back to the way he was before. The Giants are optimistic, but not hopeful, about their 2024 Pro Bowl wide receiver until they can see how physically active he can be for a team that has spent much of its time rebuilding. 

Skattebo, on the other hand, may be a different story. He was a major breakout weapon during his rookie season. For Dart, he was both one of his strong runners and a solid pass catcher. In Week Eight of this past season, Skattebo went down and broke his ankle in a gruesome injury. However, he has spent much of his time recovering and is ready to resume running. New York’s sophomore running back will be ready again by the first week of training camp. 

For Skattebo, he’s never been a zig-zag type of runner. He is a straightforward, barreling-through type of rusher. There is no need for him to twist his ankles in a certain way when he returns. Skattebo has stated that he is ready to start running again and breaking through defensive lines as he did before. He was a promising player before this injury occurred, and he should be back to full form by the time he returns. 

Both Skattebo and Nabers were the catalysts that sent New York ahead last season before the injuries. They put up some of the great stats for the team, and with both of them going out for the year, the Giants had no chance. If there is a chance that they don’t return, the Giants have to spend time looking into wide receivers or even a running back during this year's draft. This coming season, with a new coaching staff and plenty of areas that have been smoothed out, these two should have no issues getting back onto the field. New York needs them, and without these two, they were forced to adapt to plays that didn’t work. Having them back and working with Big Blue again will definitely make the 2026 team look sharp again.