Mazi Smith is inactive for a second straight Week 2, with Dallas signaling that consistency from the 2023 first rounder remains a work in progress. The Cowboys also list RB Jaydon Blue, CB DaRon Bland, LB Shemar James, and OLs Ajani Cornelius, Hakeem Adeniji, and Trevor Keegan as inactive, ahead of a Week 2 date with New York.

Bland is sidelined by a foot issue, and the group of inactives opens doors for other Cowboys to step into run and pass defense roles. Fantasy managers should note Smith's absence dampens early upside, while the Giants will test the Dallas defense without several rotation options in Week 2.

In short, the absence of core pieces on both lines and the backfield heightens uncertainty around snap shares in real games and DFS lineups, making Week 2 a pivotal moment for evaluating Dallas depth and future fantasy projections.

New York Giants lean on James Hudson III at left tackle as Andrew Thomas remains inactive, with Thomas eyeing a return next week against Kansas City. Rookie Darius Alexander sees action and Elijah Garcia is elevated from the practice squad, while Rakeem Nunez-Roches sits. Xavier Gipson and Wan'Dale Robinson are limited by injuries, and Jameis Winston is listed as emergency QB.

Cowboys will miss DaRon Bland, shaping a game that could hinge on depth and special teams. Devin Singletary looks poised to handle kickoff returns if Gipson remains out. The Giants navigate a patchwork O-line and defensive depth while preparing for a challenging Week 3 date with the Chiefs.

Dallas capped the preseason with a 31-13 win over Atlanta, spotlighting Jaydon Blue’s pro-ready burst and a confident Joe Milton-led drive that hinted at a deeper Cowboys backfield than expected. Blue opened by tackling the kickoff and finished with 9 carries for 25 yards, flashing a TD run and a noteworthy 13-yard gain that set up another score, while contributing on kickoff and punt teams. Milton’s improved calm and two total touchdowns give the Cowboys a rare QB depth cushion for late-roster decisions.

Dallas leaned into its pass-rush depth, with James Houston pressuring the pocket and mounting analytics for a 53-man roster debate about who stays at defensive end. Coach Brian Schottenheimer stressed that even a preseason win matters, and the lineup showed several healthy extenuating factors, including tackle-depth conversations with Adeniji and Richards sidelined but conceivable for Week 1. The result was a strong finish to preseason, setting the stage for a tougher opener and the ongoing evaluation of a mysterious RB rotation around Blue.