The first pass the Giants throw Thursday could already have been telegraphed as targeting Malik Nabors.
There's no doubt the Cowboys defensive back is waiting to change paths.
Two days after Nabers complained that he didn't get enough opportunities to play early in games, and a day after head coach and play-caller Brian Daboll took charge, the rookie receiver asked why he needed to play early in games. Let's start by explaining what there is.
“When you start late in the game, it’s like your body isn’t ready,” Nabers said. “You go into a game fully prepared, right? If you rest a quarter, or two quarters, your body starts to run out.
“It's like you don't want to play anymore. I'm not saying that's how I feel. I'm just saying that's your body. If you can't get involved early, you can't get a feel for the ball. After you play soccer as an attack, after you get hit, you're like, “Okay, I'm ready.'' ”
Nabers has totaled two catches in the first half in the last three games combined. In Sunday's loss to the Buccaneers, he wasn't targeted until the first play of the third quarter, and he said he “couldn't do anything” because of it. [if I] “When it's 30-0, start getting the ball'' and “talk to Daveth about it'' game plan.
“When we get into the third quarter, we're not as energetic as we were before. That's all I wanted to say,” Nabers clarified. “We need to get the ball early so we can change the game early rather than late in the game.”
The Giants had just 15 attempts in the first half.
Neighbors rarely used coach-speak and pointed out the “lack of skill'' and “lack of communication'' that caused the offense's failures.
“Looking back, we tried to give the ball to me several times in the first half,” Nabors said.
None of this should come as a surprise to the Giants, who criticized Neighbors for his “harsh” scouting evaluation before the draft for not being involved early in the game. Nabors was honest and Daboll pushed for the draft pick.
“It's the competitor in me. That's how I'm wired. That's who I am,” Nabers said. “I don't like losing anyway. If I feel like I had a chance to help the team win, I'm going to express that.”
OLB Azeez Ojulari (toe) has been placed on injured reserve and will miss at least the next four games.
The Giants took a gamble by not trading Ojulari for a last-round draft pick before the Nov. 5 deadline, despite Ojulari's lengthy injury history (he missed 16 career games) and pending free agency.
He had five sacks in five games when his playing time increased due to Kayvon Thibodeau's absence, but this will be his third consecutive season sidelined.
TE Greg Dulcich was added to the 53-man roster after being claimed off waivers by the Broncos, alongside rookies Theo Johnson, Daniel Bellinger and Chris Manhertz. Durcic had 33 catches, 411 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie in 2022, but his popularity had waned.
LT Jermaine Elemunor (quad) and DL Armon Watts (shoulder) did not participate in Tuesday's walkthrough.
QB Tommy DeVito (right forearm) and RT Evan Neal (hip) were added to the injury report as limited.
CB Deonte Banks (ribs), DT DJ Davidson (shoulder), Johnson (back), LB Micah McFadden (thumb/heel), and S Tyler Nubin (back) remained limited.
DT Dexter Lawrence (knee) was upgraded to full participation.
