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NFL·ANALYSIS·September 14, 2026 06:51 AM ET

Nabers didn't commit to playing until two hours before kickoff

His family stayed home, unsure he'd suit up

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Sep 141 min read
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Malik Nabers was so unsure he would play Sunday night that his family didn’t come to the game because he didn’t want to Via @AdamSchefter on X

What happened: Malik Nabers was unsure enough about playing Sunday night that his family skipped the game, not wanting to feel like they let him down if he sat out. He didn't decide to play until roughly two hours before kickoff. Jordan Raanan reported additional details on the receiver's pregame decision.

Why it matters: The late call means the Giants came close to opening the season without the same Nabers who was listed as questionable for the Cowboys game days earlier. It adds context to how uncertain his availability remained right up until the opener.

What to watch: Watch for Raanan's fuller account of what changed Nabers' mind before kickoff.

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