Richard Dean
Updated on: October 14, 2024 6:52 pm GMT
As the NFL season heats up, fans eagerly tune in for the matchup between the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday Night Football. With both teams currently at 1-2, the stakes are high, and the absence of key players could dramatically impact the game’s outcome. Here’s what you need to know about the inactives and how each team is adjusting ahead of kickoff.
Injury Report Highlights
The Giants and Cowboys have both faced significant injuries as they prepare for their Week 4 clash. Understanding who is unavailable gives insight into each team’s strategy.
Giants Inactives
For the New York Giants, the inactives list includes a couple of key defensive players:
- Adoree’ Jackson (calf)
- Dru Phillips (calf)
- Darius Slayton (thumb) – questionable
Jackson’s absence leaves a gap in the secondary as he typically plays a significant role in defending against opposing receivers. Along with Jackson, Phillips’ missing presence could mean challenges in covering star Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.
Instead of sitting idle, the Giants made roster adjustments, including:
– Signing linebacker Ty Summers to the active roster
– Placing tight end Lawrence Cager on the injured list
– Activating tight end/fullback Jakob Johnson and cornerback Duke Shelley from their practice squad
These moves aim to bolster the team defense and provide more flexibility in their offensive schemes as they face a challenging Cowboys team.
Cowboys Inactives
On the Dallas side, the situation mirrors the Giants’ challenges. The Cowboys ruled out:
- Markquese Bell (ankle)
- Caelen Carson (shoulder)
Carson has been a starter alongside Trevon Diggs, so his absence raises questions about who will step up in the defensive backfield. Israel Mukuamu is a likely candidate to fill the gap in Carson’s absence. The Cowboys have also elevated Amani Oruwariye from the practice squad, indicating their willingness to innovate amid injury worries.
The Cowboys have suffered defensively, allowing an astonishing 185.7 rushing yards per game, making this matchup all the more crucial for their season.
Game Day Overview
Both teams are set to face off at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with the game kicking off at 8:15 PM ET.
Current Season Performance
The Giants and Cowboys share a record of 1-2, with each team desperately seeking a victory to keep playoff hopes alive. Recent performances suggest a need for both squads to tighten their defenses. The Cowboys have struggled significantly in the rushing department, allowing 464 rushing yards over their last two games, prompting speculation that the Giants could exploit this weakness.
The Giants will likely rely heavily on running back Devin Singletary, who has found success lately. Quarterback Daniel Jones will also need to step up as he ranks 21st among qualified quarterbacks in passer rating.
How to Watch
Fans can catch all the action streaming live on Amazon Prime Video. With both teams poised for battle and fan fervor high, this NFC East rivalry promises to deliver an exciting show as they aim to turn their seasons around.
Conclusion
The Giants and Cowboys are about to face off, and the players who can’t play will really change the game. Both teams are looking to gain some early-season momentum, so everyone will be watching how they adjust without their missing players. Will the Giants take advantage of the Cowboys’ weak defense, or can Dallas find a way to handle their injuries? It’s going to be exciting to see what happens!
