Only Sterling Shepard, Grant Haley, and Corey Ballentine stood out on the New York Giants injury list for Monday night’s game against the Dallas Cowboys. Shepard and Ballantine dealt with concussions and have been working through the protocol before receiving full-clearance this week. The Giants will have them available for a must-win game, and Shepard’s influence will prove to be significant.
Haley was dealing with a sore knee but managed to practice fully this week and will be fully available. This is the first time the Giants will have a full-team this season, specifically on offense. Rookie quarterback Daniel Jones has played numerous games without star running back Saquon Barkley and Sterling Shepard.
All four of Jones’ top playmakers will be available on Monday, though, as Barkley, Shep, Golden Tate, and Engram will be featured in their usual roles. Head coach Pat Shurmur will finally be able to open up the offense and efficiently utilize the talent. He has been forced to amend his playbook to substitute players and supplement the loss of influential playmakers.
However, the Dallas Cowboys have a long list of injured players.
Here’s a peek into the New York Giants opponent for week nine:
Dallas’ injury report is extensive; listing tackles Cameron Fleming, La’el Collins, and Tyron Smith as “limited” participants. Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch will likely be ruled out on Monday night, which will give the Giants an advantage in the middle of the field. Guard, Zack Martin, and cornerback Anthony Brown were also listed as “limited” during practice this week.
If the Cowboys are without several starters, the Giants will have an edge, considering their overall health this week. It boils down to the defense, though, as Dallas put up a staggering 37 points against the Philadelphia Eagles last weekend. The debut of defensive lineman Leonard Williams is expected to be significant, and defensive coordinator James Bettcher will undoubtedly look to utilize his pass rushers and big-men up-front in the second game of the season against the Giants’ top rival.