THE STORYLINE:
In their infinite wisdom, the NFL squeezed the New York Giants entire preseason into a 13-day timeframe. It ends on Thursday. The roster cut-down to 53 is on Tuesday. The Giants then travel to Maryland to face the Commanders 11 days after that.
So what should we expect out of the last preseason game? Good question. In recent years, New York Giants’ head coaches have not played their starters, used the game to get a final read on borderline players, and seemed mostly intent just to get past this game without injury. That could very well be the case again. Or Brian Daboll may want the starters to get a drive or two before the long wait between games (August 21 – September 7).
Regardless, I’ll use this specific preview as more of a roster overview in advance of Tuesday’s cutdown.
THE INJURY REPORT:
RB Eric Gray (knee) remains on the Physically-Unable-to-Perform (PUP) List and OLB Victor Dimukeje (pectoral) remains on the Non-Football Injury List.
Not practicing or limited in practice on Tuesday due to injury were RB Cam Skattebo (hamstring), WR Malik Nabers (unknown), WR Dalen Cambre (unknown), WR Da’Quan Felton (unknown), LT Andrew Thomas (foot), OT/OG Josh Ezeudu (unknown), ILB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (unknown), CB Deonte Banks (unknown), CB Tre Hawkins (hamstring), S Tyler Nubin (unknown), and S Raheem Layne (unknown).
NEW YORK GIANTS ON OFFENSE:
Quarterback: The Giants will carry three quarterbacks. Assistant General Manager Brandon Brown all but insisted Jameis Winston will make the team, meaning Tommy DeVito will be waived unless the team can find a trade partner. It seems less likely this year that he will make it to the Practice Squad. There are big, positive stories here. First, Russell Wilson has brought confidence, legitimacy, and calmness back to the position, and that has permeated throughout the rest of the team. Second, thus far, Jaxson Dart has exceeded early expectations, both in terms of his temperament and ability.
Running Back: One of the reasons I was personally leaning towards the Giants only keeping three running backs is that Brian Daboll and Mike Kafka have not really used the 3rd and 4th backs on the roster much since 2022. However, Dante “Turbo” Miller has made a strong case for a roster spot this summer, both at running back and on special teams. If the Giants carry four, they will have to go lighter at another position. The surprise would be trading or releasing Devin Singletary, but I think the team values him far more than many fans do. Also keep in mind that Cam Skattebo is way behind, missing almost all of the spring and summer practices.
Wide Receiver: There is no question that Malik Nabers is a stud. But it is also fair game to question his physical toughness in terms of availability. If we’re being honest, he’s been injury-prone since he’s arrived. Fingers crossed that he will be available and near full strength for 17 games. When Nabers does not play, the Giants’ offense is a different animal. Darius Slayton and Wan’Dale Robinson did not allay concerns that they are “just guys” this summer. Both will start, but can they make teams pay for doubling Nabers? Brandon Brown also made it sound like Jalin Hyatt is also safe despite him having a disappointing summer. Assuming he makes the team, that would leave two spots. Beaux Collins is likely to be one (unprompted, Brown brought him up on his own). The final receiver is likely to have some return skills, meaning Ihmir Smith-Marsette (who was a healthy scratch against the Jets), Montrell Washington, or Gunner Olszewski. There is also a chance that the Giants could claim a wide receiver from another team.
Tight End: Theo Johnson is the starter. A strong case can be made for four others, but at most, the Giants will keep a total of four. They may even go with just three. So who goes among Daniel Bellinger, Chris Manhertz, Greg Dulcich, and Thomas Fidone? Your guess is as good as mine. The two best receivers are probably Johnson and Dulcich. Bellinger is more complete as a two-way player. Manhertz is the best blocker. Fidone has the intriguing upside. Hopefully the Giants can swing a trade here, rather than just cutting someone.
Offensive Line: Aside from the quarterbacks, the story of the preseason has been the play of the offensive line, even without Andrew Thomas. The time for experiments is over and the coaching staff will start the line that they have the most confidence in, meaning Andrew Thomas, Jon Runyan, John Michael Schmitz, Greg Van Roten, and Jermaine Eluemunor. The obvious back-ups at tackle will be James Hudson (who may start if Thomas isn’t ready) and Marcus Mbow. Inside is a bit more clouded. Evan Neal most likely makes it, but a case can be made that Josh Ezeudu (who did not practice on Tuesday) has looked better and is far more versatile. Also sneaky solid this preseason have been Austin Schlottmann, Aaron Stinnie, and Bryan Hudson. The Giants have also been cross-training Jake Kubas at guard and center. Do the Giants keep nine or ten?
NEW YORK GIANTS ON DEFENSE:
Defensive Line: Based on his comments since the draft, Joe Schoen seems far more comfortable with this group than I do. Like the offense without Nabers, the line is a different animal without Dexter Lawrence, who was kept in bubble-wrap this summer. Even if completely healthy, he will need to be spelled. And opposing teams will want to avoid New York’s dynamic pass rush by running the ball as much as possible. Can this group stop the run? Even at the age of 32, Roy Robertson Harris has been a good addition. He will help. But Rakeem Nunez-Roches and Elijah Chatman really haven’t distinguished themselves this summer and can be moved off of the ball. D.J. Davidson teases. And Darius Alexander is not ready for prime time. If I’m the Giants, I’m scanning the waiver wire here.
Outside Linebacker: The deepest and most talented group in the NFL. Both Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux look as focused as Outside Linebackers Coach Charlie Bullen claimed this week. Both are on a mission, including against the run. Add Abdul Carter to the mix and this is a sick group. They are now going to have a hard time finding playing time for Chauncey Golston, who was given a 3-year, $18 million contract.
Inside Linebackers: Bobby Okereke was a completely different player in 2023. Much of that had to do with a bad back injury, but everyone also seems to admit that he was not as comfortable under Shane Bowen’s system. We haven’t seen enough of him yet in 2025 to form a definitive judgment, but the team needs a big rebound year from him. The paradox with Micah McFadden is he is a tackling machine who still misses too many tackle opportunities. That said, he has gotten better every season. This is a big contract year for him, and Abdul Carter may steal some of his snaps. The reserves are likely to be be Darius Muasau and Chris Board.
Cornerback: Set at two spots with Paulson Adebo and Andru Phillips. The other starting spot will be Deonte Banks, Cor’Dale Flott, or a combination of those two. Tre Hawkins was impressing the coaches early (again), but got hurt (again), complicating matters (again). Does he still make the team? Art Green has special teams (gunner) value. Korie Black is a draft pick. There are four others also in contention. This is another area to keep an eye out for a waiver-wire pick-up.
Safety: The Giants have a really good group in Jevon Holland, Tyler Nubin, and Dane Belton. It’s just a question of who will be the fourth safety. Raheem Layne left practice early on Tuesday so his status for this game is unknown. If the Giants think Makari Paige needs more seasoning on the practice squad, they may also pick up someone off the waiver wire here.
NEW YORK GIANTS ON SPECIAL TEAMS:
Based on the preseason, the Giants look like they are in good shape with their kickers. We still don’t know who the primary returner(s) will be.
THE FINAL WORD:
It will be interesting to see who plays and who does not. I would expect Jaxson Dart to play quite a bit. As we approach cut-down day, keep in mind that the Giants will pick third in the waiver-wire process. As I indicated above, I would keep an eye out for a wide receiver, defensive lineman, cornerback, and safety.