The 1-2 New York Giants host the 1-2 Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium for their fourth regular season game and the third Thursday Night Football game on Prime Video of the 2024 season. The first two Thursday night games on Prime have been disappointing, to say the least, as both games ended in a three-score defeat. The Buffalo Bills blew out the Miami Dolphins 31-10 in Week 2, and the New York Jets blew out the New England Patriots 24-3 in Week 3. Hopefully, this game is more entertaining.
The Giants released their final injury report of Week 4 today. They did not practice on Monday but held a walkthrough on Tuesday and Wednesday. Their starter is dealing with a lower leg injury.
The New York Giants rookie suffered a lower leg injury in Week 3
70th overall pick and Giants’ starting slot cornerback Dru Phillips suffered an apparent calf injury in the first quarter of their 21-15 victory over the Cleveland Browns. Although the Giants ruled him questionable, he did not return to the football field. Phillips did not participate in their walkthrough on Tuesday and Wednesday.
He will not play
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the New York Giants have ruled out two defensive backs for tomorrow’s game. Of the two cornerbacks ruled out, Dru Phillips will not play. The Giants are wisely playing it safe because of a short week. Brian Daboll doesn’t expect him to be placed on injured reserve, which is a good sign for their shorthanded secondary.
For TNF: The #Giants have ruled out CB Adoree’ Jackson (calf) and CB Dru Phillips (calf) , while WR Darius Slayton (thumb) is questionable.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 25, 2024
Who starts in the slot?
It’s unclear who will take over for Dru Phillips in the slot. The New York Giants expect Nick McCloud to return to action tomorrow after missing their last two games with a knee injury. McCloud entered the short week without an injury diagnosis and could start there.
Another candidate is Isaiah Simmons. After not playing a single defensive snap in Week 1, Simmons has seen some reps in Week 2 and 3, playing 46 defensive snaps and 30 in the slot. He played a season-high 30 snaps in Week 3, including 26 snaps in the slot.
The last candidate is Cor’Dale Flott. He has mostly played on the outside for their first three games but has starting experience in the slot in 2023. The Giants could move McCloud to the outside and move Flott into the slot. Either way, they will have their hands full when they line up against CeeDee Lamb.
