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Released earlier in the week to create a roster spot for Dalen Cambre's elevation to the 53-man active roster.

Expected to be elevated from the practice squad to serve as the Giants' punt returner and part of the kickoff unit, providing special teams depth for the roster.

Signed to the 53-man active roster from the practice squad after impressing in training camp; played in seven games almost exclusively on special teams last season; caught head coach John Harbaugh's attention with consistent circus catches, strong route running, and special teams execution; Harbaugh stated: 'I see him make a circus catch every single day. And not just that, he's doing all the other things. He's doing special teams. He knows what he's doing. He's running great routes. I think he's making a move. I think he's done a great job and he's got our attention.' Now one of five wide receivers on the Giants roster.

Despite coaching staff wanting Dart to run less and be smarter about designed runs in 2026, the source believes rushing yards remain core to Dart's game and DNA as a player. Dart averaged about 35 rushing yards per game in his rookie season; the source supports an over 28.5 rushing yards prop for Week 1, noting questions around Giants pass catchers should prompt Dart to take off often.

The source projects Skattebo will not have a workhorse role out of the gate in Week 1, expecting three of four Cardinals backs to be active and share snaps. This supports a betting prop under 69.5 combined rushing and receiving yards, as the source is not convinced Skattebo will dominate touches early in the season.

Odell Beckham Jr. has reunited with the Giants, drawing significant attention from the New York media market. However, the source notes that this media focus on Beckham's return has somewhat overshadowed the quiet work being done by tight end Isaiah Likely in becoming the primary target for quarterback Jaxson Dart during training camp.

Giants rookie wide receiver Malachi Fields had a strong training camp and is positioned for a potential breakout role in Week 1 against the Cowboys. ESPN's bold prediction for the Giants-Cowboys matchup is that 'Giants rookie WR Malachi Fields will lead the team in receiving yards.' The prediction is supported by Fields' camp performance and the matchup advantage against Cowboys cornerbacks DaRon Bland and Cobie Durant, who are considered beatable. Fields' opportunity is enhanced by uncertainty around Malik Nabers' knee injury status.

Malik Nabers is recovering from a torn ACL and his availability for Week 1 against the Cowboys remains uncertain. The source notes 'It remains to be seen exactly how close to 100% Malik Nabers (knee) is.' His status will impact the Giants' receiving corps depth, with Isaiah Likely and rookie Malachi Fields positioned to absorb targets if Nabers is unavailable or limited.

Isaiah Likely signed a three-year, $40 million deal with the Giants as a free-agent acquisition and has quietly become quarterback Jaxson Dart's go-to pass catcher during training camp. Despite the New York media's focus on Odell Beckham Jr.'s reunion and Malik Nabers' return from injury, Likely was Dart's favorite target this summer with 44 catches in 11-on-11 team periods during camp. The source projects that 'Likely figures to be a big piece of this offense' with or without Nabers' availability in Week 1.

Jaxson Dart is the starting quarterback for the Giants' Week 1 opener under new head coach John Harbaugh. Harbaugh emphasized that while Dart is one of 53 players on the roster, the quarterback position carries outsized importance: 'He's got to know the most. He's got to do the most. He has the most impact probably on the game of anybody.' Dart expressed confidence and hunger for the role, stating 'I want to do something special. And all the guys in the locker room are, too. We're starving for this.' The Giants organization has publicly committed to Dart as their signal-caller, with the team saying 'they believe they have their signal-caller and coach and that it will lead to wins. Immediately.'

Cowboys running back Malik Davis is ruled out for the season-opening game against the Giants due to a hip injury, creating depth chart implications for Dallas's backfield.

Malik Nabers is listed as questionable for the Giants' season-opening game against Dallas. Working his way back from a Week 4 torn ACL suffered last season, Nabers was a full practice participant all three days this week. The Giants are leaving the decision on his availability up to the player himself, with Nabers stating Thursday: 'It's my career and it's my body. The decision is the decision. Everyone has to understand that, at the end of the day, it's my career. It's my body. I know when I'm able to play, and I know when I'm able to do what I want to do.'

George Pickens is expected to receive multiple one-on-one shot opportunities against the Giants' cornerbacks. Dallas will align Pickens in a variety of different locations to create mismatches or dictate certain coverages. As the game wears on in zone coverage, the Giants will need deeper depth over the middle of the field to eliminate post/dig routes from Pickens and Lamb's dynamic receiving duo.

CeeDee Lamb is expected to receive a heavy dose of targets in the quick game as Dallas attempts to quell the Giants' potential pressure with easy quick-game options to the flat in 3×1 sets. Lamb will be featured in a variety of different alignments to create mismatches or dictate certain coverages for the Giants' defense. The discipline of the Giants' cornerback room will be crucial in matching Lamb's positioning and preventing yards after the catch.

Javonte Williams, who signed a three-year, $24 million deal during the offseason, leads the Cowboys' rushing attack. However, Tyler Smith's injury weakens Dallas' run protection, and the Giants must prove able to stop the run on early downs to force the Cowboys into longer third-down situations. Dallas averaged 4.8 yards per carry in their two matchups against New York last season with 58 total carries; the Giants' defensive upgrades with Tremaine Edmunds and Arvell Reese in the middle of the field should help contain Williams and the run game.

Prescott has dominated the Giants for nearly a decade, posting a 14-3 record against New York with 4,346 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, just nine interceptions, and a 101.5 passer rating. Dallas had a 13-game winning streak over the Giants before their Week 18 loss last season when starters played only the first half. However, the revamped Giants defense under Dennard Wilson will attempt to disrupt Prescott's rhythm through unorthodox pressure packages, simulated/creeper blitzes, and slanting/twists up front; Prescott is noted as a mastermind at diagnosing coverage, making him difficult to rattle despite the Giants' defensive upgrades.

Cowboys QB 'always feasts on the Giants' D and has fun doing it'; faces a secondary starting reclamation projects Deonte Banks and Greg Newsome, positioning Prescott favorably in the matchup.

Cowboys WR feasted on Giants' defensive backs last year; faces a reclamation-project secondary with Deonte Banks and Greg Newsome starting, creating favorable matchup conditions for Pickens.

Cowboys WR feasted on Giants' defensive backs last year; faces a reclamation-project secondary with Deonte Banks and Greg Newsome starting, creating favorable matchup conditions for Lamb.

Giants RB expected to see action in Week 1 alongside Jaxson Dart and Malik Nabers; this will be only the second meaningful game appearance for the trio together after limited action last season.

Giants WR expected to see action in Week 1 alongside Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo; this will be only the second meaningful game appearance for the trio together after limited action last season.

Dart in principle should be able to do more business through the air, but that depends on his ability to read Dallas' disguised coverages and whether a thin receiving corps with a lot of question marks can get open and hold onto the ball often enough; he will face pressure from the Cowboys' defensive line, particularly from the middle where the Giants' OL is weakest.

Nagy describes Odell Beckham as highly professional in accepting his role and managing his mentorship dynamic with Dart; Beckham proactively approaches Nagy as a conduit to filter questions and guidance to Dart, demonstrating care not to overload the young QB mentally. Nagy notes Beckham executes assignments well when focused, with the team's primary feedback being 'don't do it again' when he makes mistakes, indicating strong assignment discipline and coachability.

Nagy emphasizes Dart's role as a young talent with special upside who needs to play fast and be himself; Nagy wants him to stay calm and extremely confident while executing the game plan tailored to his strengths, with room to cut loose and have fun. Nagy notes Dart has grown significantly in confidence and understanding of concepts (both run and pass), moving from early frustration with unfamiliar plays to multiple reps and better preparation; Nagy highlights Dart's maturity for a 23-year-old with limited NFL experience and describes him as 'super mature, very calm, but he's really good,' emphasizing the need to use his strengths effectively.

Giants WR Malik Nabers has a decision to make regarding his availability for Week 1 matchup vs. the Cowboys; the decision to play or not play will be his own.

Third-round rookie WR Malachi Fields is a big-bodied red-zone weapon thrust into a significant role immediately for the Giants, starting with Sunday night's season opener at home against Dallas; he is one of two outside receiver options opposite Malik Nabers after Darius Slayton's release.

Seventh-year pro Darnell Mooney is one of two outside receiver options replacing Darius Slayton to play opposite Malik Nabers; both Mooney and third-round rookie Malachi Fields now face significant pressure in their new roles for the Giants.

Giants WR Darius Slayton was released by new head coach John Harbaugh, who believes he has better options to play opposite Malik Nabers; Slayton has been replaced in the starting role.

Jaxson Dart enters Year 2 under John Harbaugh, who oversaw one of the best Year 2 leaps in NFL history with Lamar Jackson in Baltimore; after Jackson made seven starts as a raw rookie in 2018, he blossomed into an MVP while leading the Ravens to a 14-2 record in his second season. While no one is banking on that type of breakout for Dart, Harbaugh has a blueprint for building an offense amenable to Dart's skill set, similar to his approach with Jackson. Dart's obsession with details, becoming a better quarterback, and hard work impressed Harbaugh before taking the Giants job, and former coach Brian Daboll and Eli Manning raved about Dart's football acumen and work ethic.

Malik Nabers has not played since tearing his ACL in Week 4 last season and underwent two surgeries to repair the damage. As of Thursday, he reported feeling good and said the decision to play Sunday night against Dallas is up to him, though he would not commit to playing. Nabers emphasized the need to balance his desire to return with protecting his career: "At the end of the day, I can't put my career at risk. I got to take that into account. There's a lot of football that I still have left to play." His availability for Sunday remains uncertain pending his final decision.

Dart faces a Cowboys defense employing a Fangio-adjacent scheme in 3-safety nickel that uses safeties as adjustment players to rotate between coverage looks and disguise pressure. The defense operates from quarters coverage but rotates to Cover 3, Cover 6, and Cover 8—each with exploitable weaknesses. Dart's success depends on quickly and accurately diagnosing these coverage rotations and making correct pre-snap and post-snap decisions to attack the safeties in the middle of the field.

Giants running back and former receiver is the obvious standout among the team's four running backs as a pass catcher. Tracy will be heavily involved in the Giants' heavy-set passing attack, where tight ends and backs are getting heavily involved as pass catchers.

Giants fullback in new-look offense will serve as a secondary blocker against Dallas' lighter-side linebackers in the run game. Ricard's presence in condensed sets allows the Giants to create traffic for passing concepts and make play-action passes to the intermediate area more effective.

Giants tight end flashed brilliance in his second season but also had frustrating drops. Johnson will be heavily involved as a pass catcher in the Giants' heavy-set offense and will serve as a secondary blocker against Dallas' lighter-side linebackers, leveraging his size advantage over Caleb Downs and the Cowboys' second level.

Giants tight end was Jaxson Dart's most common target in training camp and will be heavily involved as a pass catcher in the Giants' heavy-set offense. Likely will also serve as a secondary blocker against Dallas' lighter-side linebackers in the run game, leveraging his size advantage.

Giants rookie receiver at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds is far more nimble than his frame would suggest, making him a talented route runner in the Giants' new precision passing game. Fields is one of four remaining receivers after Darius Slayton's release and will be featured in a scheme designed to create yards-after-catch opportunities.

Giants receiver in new-look offense under John Harbaugh and Matt Nagy. OBJ is one of four remaining receivers after the Darius Slayton release, and is a talented route runner who will be featured in a precision passing game designed to create yards-after-catch opportunities.

Giants receiver in new-look offense designed around precision route running and yards-after-catch opportunities. Mooney is a talented route runner who will benefit from Brian Callahan's 'New West Coast' passing philosophy, which emphasizes setting receivers up for YAC in the intermediate passing game.

Release of Darius Slayton suggests Malik Nabers is trending toward Week 1 readiness. In the Giants' new precision passing game influenced by Brian Callahan's 'New West Coast' philosophy, Nabers will be set up for yards-after-catch opportunities alongside Darnell Mooney, though the offense will also attempt to generate chunk plays vertically.

Giants QB will be used as a runner more than some may prefer under John Harbaugh's analytics-driven approach; forced to play true 11-on-11 football confers an offensive advantage. Dart struggled against Fangio's Week 8 defense last year after performing well in Week 6, and will need to prove he can decipher Fangio's coverage rotations and post-snap adjustments in the Cowboys' new scheme.