Malik Nabers reveals how Giants coach John Harbaugh helped him overcome his ACL injury fears

The biggest unknown the New York Giants faced before Sunday night's regular-season opener against the Dallas Cowboys, beyond whether they'd win or not, was whether star receiver Malik Nabers would play.

It's not that Nabers couldn't play.

He'd been medically cleared for weeks.

The question was whether Nabers had the confidence to play, to get hit, and not be worried about getting hurt again after he suffered an ACL and meniscus right knee injury a year ago that required him overcoming psychological as well as physical hurdles.

Enter new Giants coach John Harbaugh.

JAXSON DART TAKES BRUTAL HIT EARLY IN GIANTS VS COWBOYS OPENER BUT WHAT HAPPENED NEXT WAS KIND OF SURPRISING Harbaugh is different, folks.

He started his postgame press conference after his team's victory over the Cowboys i n the same way he ended his presser after a season-ending loss with the Ravens in 2025: By giving thanks to Jesus Christ.

He's also different in that he has won 13 season openers since becoming a head coach in 2008 and understands when players need nurturing or need pushing.

Nabers needed a little pushing.

During the team's walkthrough practice on Saturday, Harbaugh decided Nabers needed to get over his uncertainty and insecurity about getting hit in a game.

So the coach tackled Nabers.

"I know everybody was worried about if I get tackled," Nabers told reporters.

"Actually, coach Harbaugh tackled me ...

"He wanted to see if I could take a tackle and it was good." In an age of analytics and metrics often driving coaching decisions, Harbaugh went old school.