Giants Coach Takes Unorthodox Approach to Get Star Player Back on Field

Clear Facts

• New Giants coach John Harbaugh physically tackled star receiver Malik Nabers during Saturday’s walkthrough to help him overcome mental fears about returning from ACL injury
• Nabers had been medically cleared for weeks but was struggling with confidence about taking hits after suffering ACL and meniscus injury a year ago
• The unorthodox coaching method worked — Nabers played Sunday night against Dallas, catching six passes for 69 yards in the Giants’ victory

The biggest question facing the New York Giants before Sunday night’s regular-season opener against the Dallas Cowboys wasn’t about strategy or scheme. It was whether star receiver Malik Nabers would take the field.

Nabers had been medically cleared for weeks. His knee was physically ready. But the mental hurdle remained — could he take a hit without fear after suffering an ACL and meniscus injury to his right knee a year ago?

Enter new Giants coach John Harbaugh, who decided to solve the problem the old-fashioned way.

During Saturday’s walkthrough practice, Harbaugh took matters into his own hands. He tackled his star receiver.

“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.”

The moment represented a stark departure from the analytics-driven, risk-averse coaching culture that dominates modern professional sports. Harbaugh went old school, essentially throwing his player in the deep end and forcing him to swim.

Quarterback Jaxson Dart witnessed the unconventional moment unfold.

“Yeah, we were all just chilling on the sideline,” Dart explained.

“It was right before we were supposed to start our walkthrough, and things were just up in the air. We didn’t know exactly what was going to happen.”

“And me and coach Harbs kind of had some conversations. He’s like, ‘You know what, like, I think that once he gets hit for the first time and realizes that he’s OK, then he’s going to feel confident.'”

“So I think in his mind that triggered, ‘Oh, maybe I should tackle him right then and there.’ So, we’re all just standing there, and then all of a sudden Leek goes down on the ground, and our team’s super protective of him. So we all turned to look, and it’s coach Harbs tackling Leek.”

“And then he pops up and he goes, ‘See, you’re all good.'”

Harbaugh, who has won 13 season openers since becoming a head coach in 2008, understands when players need nurturing versus when they need pushing. This situation called for the latter.

Even after the tackle, uncertainty remained. When did Harbaugh finally know his receiver could play?

“I got a sense like about three hours before the game, maybe two and a half, somewhere in there,” Harbaugh said.

“And when he went out and tested it and he felt ready and that’s when the decision was made. It was his call. He had been cleared medically, but he had to feel right.”

“He had to feel like he was ready to go, and he could protect himself and perform the way he wanted, and he did. Malik played a great game. He played a heck of a game.”

Nabers caught six passes for 69 yards — modest numbers perhaps, but significant in demonstrating that the Giants’ best receiver is back and can withstand contact.

“It was amazing, it was amazing,” Nabers said.

“It was amazing to take it all in, get right back on track to where I left off. I’m happy that the fans still love to see me out there.”

Harbaugh has already distinguished himself in New York. He started his postgame press conference after the victory over Dallas the same way he ended his presser after a season-ending loss with the Ravens in 2025 — by giving thanks to Jesus Christ. In an era where many coaches carefully sanitize their public statements, Harbaugh remains unafraid to express his faith.

The coach’s willingness to tackle his own player reflects a broader coaching philosophy — sometimes the best solution isn’t found in data or careful deliberation, but in decisive action that forces someone to confront their fears head-on.

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