Malik Nabers And George Kittle Become Fantasy Draft Steals With Recent Injury Updates

George Kittle and Malik Nabers have received positive injury updates over the past few days, which could increase their fantasy value greatly.

Jul 30, 2026; White Sulphur Springs, WV, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) walks on the field after practice during training camp at The Greenbrier Resort Sports Performance Center. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

In the 2025 NFL season, several players suffered major season-ending injuries, including WR for the New York Giants Malik Nabers and TE for the San Francisco 49ers George Kittle. 

Nabers suffered his injury in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers. He tore his ACL and partially tore his meniscus. Kittle, in a Wild Card playoff game against the  Philadelphia Eagles, saw his season end with a torn right Achilles.

Despite these injuries, holding the possibility that they would both at least miss some time in the 2026 season, both Kittle and Nabers are trending positively, and each of them could play in Week 1.

Malik Nabers Injury Update

Aug 15, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) on the field before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at MetLife Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Nabers took a huge leap forward in his recovery process this past week at the Giants’ practices. He went from doing individual work to now participating in team-controlled drills, with the caveat of wearing a red non-contact jersey that QBs often wear in practices. While this positive news has Nabers trending to play Week 1, it has not been confirmed that it is a certainty. 

Nabers, in the three complete games he played in 2025, had 16 receptions, 251 receiving yards, and two TDs. When he played 15 games in his rookie year in 2024, he had 109 receptions, 1,204 receiving yards, and seven TDs. He finished as WR8 in PPR fantasy formats that season.

The combination of Nabers’ current ADP with his recent injury news, which basically indicates that he will not miss significant time, means the value he has in fantasy right now is sky-high. In ESPN fantasy leagues, his ADP is WR13 in PPR, and in Sleeper fantasy leagues, his ADP is WR12.

Nabers, if he is healthy a full season could play way above his current ADP. He has clear WR10 or better fantasy potential. 

George Kittle Injury Update

Aug 20, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) on the field prior to the pre-season game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Where there is value in Nabers with his injury update in fantasy, there is even more with Kittle. 

NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported on X that Kittle recently met with Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who performed the surgery on his torn Achilles in January. After that visit, Kittle is said to be ahead of schedule in his recovery. Schefter also said in his report on X, “It gives him a legitimate chance to play in the regular-season opener in Australia against the Los Angeles Rams.” 

More recent news gave further reason to believe that Kittle could be ready for the start of the 2026 season. The 49ers recently activated Kittle from the physically unable to perform list.

Kittle’s current ADP for Sleeper fantasy leagues in PPR  is TE10. In ESPN leagues in PPR formats, it is TE11. 

In 11 games in 2025, Kittle had 57 receptions, 628 receiving yards, and seven TDs. Kittle got hurt in Week 1 and was out until he made his return in Week 7. From then until Week 18, in PPR formats in fantasy football, he ranked as TE4. If it turns out that Kittle will be available in Week 1 of the 2026 season, or even if he just misses three or fewer games, his value in fantasy drafts should be at the TE5 spot at a minimum.

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