Malik Nabers Ruled Questionable For Giants Opener

Practice didn’t make a perfect Malik Nabers. 

Nabers practiced in full Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for the Giants but was listed as questionable after making it clear that the decision on whether to play Sunday against the Cowboys is his alone — and that he is prioritizing his long-term career over one game.

It is extremely rare for a player to practice in full and not play without suffering a setback. 

Nabers, who tore his ACL and meniscus last September and underwent two surgeries, adhered to the Giants’ practice plan all summer without incident.

Head coach John Harbaugh sounded confident that the team would clear Nabers to play but deferred the final decision to Nabers’ comfort level with his knee. 

League sources told The Post before training camp that Nabers privately was eyeing an October return, but the Giants’ decision not to put him on the Physically Unable to Perform list to start training camp made his recovery seem accelerated. 

Odell Beckham Jr., a mentor to Nabers, has been through more than his share of recovery timetables (including a 2017 torn ACL) from major injuries. 

“There’s going to be that bit of fear and anxiety,” Beckham said. “And it’s a natural thing. He looks great. But deep down inside, it’s a decision for him because, at the end of the day, let’s say something were to happen again that isn’t good, he’s the one who’s affected. And then his career is then not necessarily in his hands. 

“Teams get to make a decision about keeping you and then things could go wrong. So, my advice for him is like, ‘When you are ready and you feel it, that’s when you come back.’ But at the same point in time, you’re not going to feel like your 1,000 percent self until some point in the early, middle of the season. It’s just something that takes time.” 

If Nabers does not play, it calls into further question the Giants’ decision earlier this week to cut Darius Slayton, who was cut for $3.2 million in salary-cap savings when owed $9 million guaranteed anyway. 

The Giants would be left with Beckham, Darnell Mooney and rookie Malachi Fields — plus one or two practice-squad elevations, including Braxton Berrios — as active receivers. That calls for a lot of heavy formations. 

FB Patrick Ricard (toe) was added to the injury report but was a full practice participant. Center Bryan Hudson, TE Theo Johnson, DT Shelby Harris and LT Andrew Thomas have been listed all week but are expected to play after full practice participation.