The Dallas Cowboys spent their entire offseason focused on course correction for their defense. It started with finding new coordinator Christian Parker and letting him assemble his staff, and then they went about free agency, the trade portal and the draft to revamp the personnel. While that gives the fanbase a ton of hope for a defensive turnaround, the newness of it all is likely appealing to opponents early on Dallas' schedule.
None more so than the New York Giants, who are going to also have the element of surprise in Week 1 as they have a brand new coaching staff. In a world where the defense has to react to the offense, there's an inherent advantage in both sides being unknowns, which means that wideout Malik Nabers could be in for a huge
game while Parker's secondary works through their mental reps and assignments.
If only he were healthy.
That's the million dollar question after Nabers played in just four games last season before tearing his ACL. A rookie sensation in 2024 with over 1,200 receiving yards, Nabers is by far the biggest offensive threat for Parker's new-look defense.
It's appeared for much of the last month that everything was trending towards Nabers being available to play. But scuttlebutt has pulled back on that, with concerns that he might not be quite ready to resume game duties. On Friday, the Giants listed him as questionable, despite him being a full participant all week.
Is it gamesmanship? Perhaps, but just because someone isn't hindered from participating, doesn't mean they are moving with the necessary suddenness and confidence to play a professional football game.
On Saturday, the club elevated wideout(s) Braxton Berrios ...
The Giants only rostered four receivers on their 53; so Berrios was being elevated regardless of Nabers' status.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Is Giants WR Malik Nabers playing today vs Cowboys?
