Malik Nabers checked off another milestone in his recovery from his devastating knee injury, and earlier than expected too.

The New York Giants' No. 1 wide receiver participated in team drills in a red no-contact jersey during their final practice before their first preseason game Saturday against the Minnesota Vikings.

Nabers has participated in individual drills throughout camp. But on Thursday he was competing against defensive backs at practice during team drills, after the New York Daily News reported Wednesday he could do so next week.

Malik Nabers Took 'A Big Step' on Thursday

There was considerable pessimism about Nabers' recovery a month ago. But Nabers being on the field in a non-contact jersey is a welcome sight for Giants fans.

Nabers appears to be at the point where his 21-day window would be open following a stint on injured reserve. It is especially huge considering Thursday marked a month out from the Giants' season opener against the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 13.

"I feel like the players were excited when we talked about [Nabers participating in practice] in meetings this morning," Giants coach John Harbaugh said. "They were excited. They were giving him a hard time.

"But everybody was happy that he was out there. Because it's a big step. It's a big step to get into team drills. So, for him to do that was – yeah, it was a milestone, I would say, for our team."

The only player more excited than Nabers seemed to be Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart. Dart and Nabers only played a quarter together last season before Nabers sustained a torn ACL against the Los Angeles Chargers.

"It's great to have Leek back out there," Dart said. "I've said this before, [but] he has a certain presence about him anytime he touches the field, and I think the big thing today was also you just saw how excited he was himself to be out there. 

"[I] just can't wait for it to be full go when the time comes."

Malik Nabers Caused Some Damage to His Position Coach

Nabers may have escaped without any pain or injury, but Giants wide receivers Chad Hall was not so lucky.

"In individual [drills], Chad was the DB and Malik was releasing off of Chad. Somehow they crossed signals in which way they were going, and Malik went to punch his way through, arm over, and he caught Chad right in the face," Harbaugh said. "[Nabers] split [Hall's] lip open; he got stitches right out there on the field. Chad Hall took stitches on the field. Tough dude."