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New York Giants star wide receiver Malik Nabers has revealed that backup quarterback Jameis Winston came to him with words of advice after he tore his ACL on September 28 in a win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Prior to his injury, former LSU wideout Malik Nabers played in four games for the 2025 New York Giants and caught 18 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns.
His season was cut short in Week 4, however, as he went down with an apparently serious knee injury that was later confirmed to be a torn ACL, which sidelined him for the rest of the 2025 season.
New York Giants backup quarterback Jameis Winston provided wide receiver Malik Nabers with inspiration after he tour his ACL
During his season-ending comments to the media earlier this week, Nabers revealed that Winston used an apparent “Winston-ism” in an effort to inspire Nabers as he faced down the process of rehab.
According to Nabers, after he asked Winston why this injury happened to him, the former Heisman Trophy winner replied: “Why not you? Why not go back to the bottom and try to find your way back to the top?”
Jameis Winston gave Malik Nabers advice during his rehab process
Nabers asked him: “Why did it happen to me?”
Winston said: “Why not you? Why not go back to the bottom and try to find your way back to the top?” pic.twitter.com/Ac4W6qcK0M
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) January 5, 2026
Nabers’ injury-shortened sophomore season came after a torrid rookie campaign that saw him catch 109 balls for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns.
The pass catcher’s ACL tear came before the Giants installed rookie signal-caller Jaxon Dart, which means Nabers has yet to catch a pass from the G-Men’s promising first-year quarterback.
Unfortunately for the Giants and their fans, however, Nabers would not commit to being ready for Week 1 of the 2026 season.
When Nabers does return to an NFL field, it will be under a new head coach as the Giants are in the market for a new HC after firing Brian Daboll during the season, with reports indicating that John Harbaugh is the early favorite for the job.