Micah McFadden to IR opens a midseason LB vacancy for the Giants. Bobby Okereke and Darius Muasau are set to carry heavier load in Dallas Week 2, testing the spine of New York’s defense.

Xavier Gipson joins Big Blue via a claim and instantly adds a versatile playmaking threat and return option, potentially easing pressure on the passing game as Cam Skattebo looks to amplify his power running profile with increased reps.

Giants Week 1 exposed major issues on the line of scrimmage, with the offense repeatedly behind the sticks and Washington’s pass rush piling up 22 pressures. A healthy return for Thomas could help stabilize pass protection and unlock a more functional run game, but interior play remains a flaw. Dexter Lawrence drew heavy attention and double-teams, yet the defense still kept Washington to 21 points, setting up a critical Week 2 showdown with Dallas where rhythm up front will be paramount for fantasy value.

Fantasy takeaway: monitor Thomas’s status for Week 2, lean into Giants blockers if he returns, and watch Lawrence for continued disruption even when doubled. Singletary’s role could sharpen as the run game improves, while Schmitz and Runyan Jr. need a steadier game to unlock the offense’s ceiling against Dallas.

Giants fall 21-6 in a choppy opener against Washington, as two red-zone drives stalled and a goal-line trick fizzled when Marcus Mbow went uncovered and Wilson overthrew him. A lot rode on the o-line’s cohesion and the play-call rhythm, with Runyan Jr. rechecking the call and Schmitz barking assignments at the line. Breiden Fehoko opined the sequence was telegraphed and the defense read it, while Theo Johnson flashed a potential red-zone mismatch that wasn’t fully leveraged.

Fantasy takeaway centers on Theo Johnson’s red-zone ceiling and Russell Wilson’s evolving comfort with the line, plus the Giants’ obligation to fix short-yardage and the ground game. Washington’s defense showed bite in the opener, so check for Week 2 adjustments and target opportunities that could juice fantasy outputs as the Giants tighten their identity.

Wilson faced relentless pressure in his Giants debut, pressured on 19 of 45 dropbacks with 2 sacks, 6 QB hits, and 13 hurried throws. Pocket discomfort limited his downfield chances (avg target depth 6.7 yards) and his EPA per pass sank to -0.41. The Giants’ run game offered little relief, piling up just 72 rushing yards on 22 tries while Washington posted 219 and 3.1 per attempt.

Ground production leaned heavily on Wilson, who scrambled 6 times for 39 yards and added 4 on two designed runs, while the o-line’s five starters all graded under 66.0 in the first pass. James Hudson III was the clear liability with eight pressures; Van Roten, Eluemunor, Runyan and Schmitz each yielded multiple pressures as well.

The Giants-Jets joint practices set a high-stakes stage this week, with Malik Nabers facing Sauce Gardner in a marquee matchup that could shape the Giants’ passing game expectations. Nabers’ reps against Gardner will test whether the Giants’ new receiving corps can separate in real game-like drills, and whether Nabers can translate his hype into consistent fantasy value this season.

Beyond Nabers, the week highlights a slew of rookie and veteran battles: Jaxson Dart and Abdul Carter for New York, Armand Membou for the Jets, and John Michael Schmitz against an imposing Jets interior front led by Quinnen Williams when healthy. The interior-line clash looms as the real barometer for the Giants, with Schmitz needing a leap forward to unlock the offense. Deonte Banks versus Garrett Wilson also stands as a focal point, testing whether Banks can take the next step against a top-tier target.

As the Jets’ defensive line looks to disrupt, veteran Jay Tufele’s early performance and Leonard Taylor’s development add intrigue for Giants fans. The overall message is clear: this week’s battles will help define depth charts and fantasy upside, from Nabers’ breakout potential to Schmitz’s ability to stabilize the line and Banks’ progress at cornerback.