The Dallas Cowboys visit the New York Giants for a key, early season “Monday Night Football” divisional matchup between the reigning NFC East champions and one of the league’s remaining undefeated teams.
The Giants are slight favorites against the Cowboys, who will be without quarterback Dak Prescott for the second straight week. Even though Dallas’ starting quarterback is still unavailable, the team has gotten positive news from the latest injury report.
#Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy says he expects WR Michael Gallup to return from his ACL injury and play MNF vs #Giants. His play count will be limited. McCarthy says Gallup won’t play 70 snaps. Cowboys 31st in scoring in NFL. pic.twitter.com/Gpo4JHNZ44
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) September 22, 2022
#Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy says TE Dalton Schultz is “on an incline” after injuring his right knee Sunday. They are gonna assess where he’s at closer to the end of the week.
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) September 22, 2022
Michael Gallup is expected to make his season debut Monday. The wide receiver hasn’t played since Week 17 of last year because of a torn ACL.
Gallup will be on a limited snap count, but any contribution will be welcomed. The Cowboys’ receiving corps lacks depth behind CeeDee Lamb. Noah Brown has stepped up to lead the team with 10 catches for 159 yards. Dennis Houston has been Dallas’ No. 3 wide receiver with just two receptions for 16 yards.
In four seasons with the Cowboys, Gallup is averaging 52.8 receiving yards per game.
Dalton Schultz has nine receptions for 80 yards, one season after grabbing eight touchdown passes. The tight end is on the Week 3 injury report because of a knee issue. It’s still unknown if Schultz will be able to play Monday.
Cooper Rush is looking to go 3-0 in his career as a starting quarterback. Rush went 19-of-31 for 235 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions in last week’s 20-17 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
There’s a good chance that the Giants will get back two of their most important defensive players. Linebackers Azeez Ojulari and Kayvon Thibodeaux participated in drills during Thursday’s practice and could make their season debuts Monday.
Ojulari has a team-high eight sacks in 2021. Hopes are high for Thibodeaux, who was drafted fifth overall after recording seven sacks in 10 games for Oregon last season.
The two pass rushers could improve a defense that’s already been the strength of the team. New York has given up 36 total points.
The Giants and Cowboys are tied for ninth in scoring defense, allowing 18.0 points per game. Dallas ranks second-to-last in scoring offense, averaging 11.5 points per game.
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