Photo via CBS Sports

How John Harbaugh helped Malik Nabers get over mental hurdle in return from knee injury

New York Giants wideout Malik Nabers was uncertain if he would take the field for the season-opening matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, remaining an undecided participant until completing pregame drills. Working his way back from a torn meniscus and ACL, the pass catcher struggled primarily with the psychological anxiety of reinjury, prompting him to keep his relatives away from the stadium to avoid disappointing them if he sat out.

Nabers finally found his footing after taking the MetLife Stadium turf, catching a nine-yard pass on the offense's opening throw of the contest.

His mindset received an unconventional pregame boost from first-year coach John Harbaugh, who took matters into his own hands prior to kickoff. Quarterback Jaxson Dart explained that Harbaugh believed Nabers needed to absorb contact to regain confidence, leading the head coach to abruptly tackle the wide receiver to the ground right before a team walkthrough.