Giants-Cowboys Week 2 featured a 16-play, 110-yard opening drive that produced just three points due to six penalties, four by James Hudson. Coach Brian Daboll benched Hudson for Marcus Mbow, a Purdue fifth‑round pick, after the drive. Hudson, 26, spent four years with Cleveland before joining New York in 2021 and has 19 starts in 51 games. The sequence highlights Giants’ left‑tackle stability questions with Andrew Thomas sidelined.

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.

Giants plan to ride out Wilson while Dart develops, with no rush to start the rookie. Thomas's absence tightens the timeline and adds risk to any early debut. Week 1's package for Dart existed but went unused; Week 2 is expected to mirror that approach. For fantasy players, monitor Wilson's workload, Dart's growing role, and Thomas's return to gauge when Dart could emerge.

Giants resist benching Russell Wilson, aiming to develop Jaxson Dart while Wilson remains the Week 2 starter. Wilson’s debut produced 168 yards on 17 of 37 with no TD, prompting questions about the QB room’s short-term path. New York leans patient, hoping Wilson improves and Dart grows behind him, even as a left tackle injury adds complexity.

Andrew Thomas' Lisfranc injury keeps him sidelined and James Hudson III in at left tackle, further shaping the Giants’ timeline. Dart has been working as a scout-team look-alike for Dak Prescott, with coach Brian Daboll pledging continuity while the fan discourse grows louder about the rookie’s ceiling.

Giants head to Dallas for Week 2 with Andrew Thomas not practicing and Malik Nabers limited, while Wan'Dale Robinson sat out Wednesday. Nabers declined to answer if he’s 100%, and Robinson’s status is up in the air after a heavy workload last week. Dexter Lawrence missed practice due to the birth of his child but is not anticipated to miss Week 2. Coach Daboll expressed cautious optimism Thomas could return later in the week, which keeps New York's line health in limbo as Dallas’ front seven looms. Nabers’ and Robinson’s health will heavily influence the Giants’ aerial attack and fantasy options, while the O-line clarity will shape every series against an aggressive Cowboys pass rush.