The Cowboys head to New York short-handed on the line, with four starting blockers out or limited. Adeniji starts at left guard while Smith is held for emergency duty, Guyton is out, and Beebe and Booker are sidelined. Hoffman and Bass lock the interior as Thomas starts at left tackle, underscoring Dallas depth and a focus on communication to protect Dak Prescott and power the run game.

New York’s front led by Williams tests the reshuffled unit, so Dallas must stay physical at the point of attack and execute with discipline. The game hinges on how well the depth players mesh, the efficiency of pre‑snap calls, and the ability to keep Prescott clean while pushing the Jets on the ground.

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.