INJURY REPORT
Out: LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (Calf)
Doubtful: DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches (Foot), OT Andrew Thomas (Foot)
Questionable: WR Wan'Dale Robinson (Ankle)
Coming soon
HOW TO WATCH, LISTEN, & STREAM
Channel: Fox
Announcers: Joe Davis (Play-By-Play), Greg Olsen (Analyst), Pam Oliver (Sideline)
Channel: WFAN 101.9FM /66AM
Announcers: Bob Papa (Play-by-Play), Carl Banks (Analyst), Sideline (Howard Cross)
Pre- and Postgame: John Schmeelk, Tiki Barber
Pregame: Giants Gameday begins at 11:00 a.m., presented by Hackensack Meridian Health.
Postgame: Giants Extra Point
This week's game can be streamed on NFL+.
FILLING IN FOR McFADDEN
The Giants were dealt with their first major injury blow of the season this past weekend when starting inside linebacker Micah McFadden was carted off with a foot injury. While Daboll told the media earlier in the week that the fourth-year linebacker did not break his leg, which was the original concern, the Giants did place McFadden on injured reserve Thursday.
With McFadden out for at least the next four games, Darius Muasau will get an expanded opportunity. The second-year linebacker started seven games last year and finished the season with 55 tackles (26 solo), three tackles for loss, one quarterback hit and an interception. While it will be difficult to replace McFadden, who was coming off an encouraging 2024 campaign, the coaching staff is confident in Muasau's abilities.
"He's a smart player for us," Daboll said. "He's played a number of spots, I would say. Intelligent player. That's the job of, quote unquote, a backup, is to be ready to go when your number's called. He's done a nice job for us in that regard."
"Got a lot of confidence in Moose," defensive coordinator Shane Bowen added. "He went in there and I thought he did a good job last week, for the most part. He's done really well last year when he played for us, and then throughout training camp this preseason."
PROTECTION UP FRONT
The Giants struggled to get much going offensively against the Commanders. The unit totaled just 17 first downs with an average of 3.7 yards per play, compared to Washington's 6.6 yards per play. Perhaps the most damaging stat though was the offense's performance in the red zone, as they didn't get into the end zone on either of their trips inside the 20-yard line.
As Daboll noted earlier in the week, the offensive struggles were a collective effort. But one area in which an improvement in Week 2 would go a long way in helping the offense find more success is the protection up front. The Commanders recorded 24 quarterback pressures, according to Pro Football Focus, as Russell Wilson found himself scrambling away from defenders throughout the game, which played a part in the veteran completing just 17 of 37 passes for 168 yards.
Things won't get much easier for the O-line this week. The Cowboys had 20 pressures of Jalen Hurts last week, although only one resulted in a sack. It remains to be seen if left tackle Andrew Thomas will suit up on Sunday, with the star left tackle being listed as questionable on the final injury report.