INJURY REPORT
Out: WR Beaux Collins (Neck/Concussion), OLB Victor Dimukeje (Knee), CB Nic Jones (Shoulder), DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches Sr. (Ankle), OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (Shoulder)
Doubtful: P Jamie Gillan (Left Knee)
Questionable: DL D.J. Davidson (Illness), OL Joshua Ezeudu (Calf), LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (Illness/Neck/Knee), CB Art Green (Hamstring), DL Dexter Lawrence (Hamstring), LB Darius Muasau (Ankle), WR Gunner Olszewski (Concussion)
Out: QB Jayden Daniels (Left Elbow), DE Drake Jackson (Groin/Knee), CB Jonathan Jones (Rib)
Questionable: RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. (Groin), WR Deebo Samuel Sr. (Illness)
HOW TO WATCH, LISTEN & STREAM
Announcers: Kenny Albert (Play-By-Play), Jonathan Vilma (Analyst), Megan Olivi (Sideline)
Postgame: Giants Postgame Live presented by Hackensack Meridian Health, MSG Networks, The Gotham Sports App, YouTube, Giants.com, Giants App, Giants TV
Channel: WFAN 101.9PM / 66 AM
Announcers: Bob Papa (Play-by-Play), Cark Banks (Analyst), Howard Cross (Sideline)
Pre- and Postgame: John Schmeelk, Tiki Barber
Pregame: Giants Gameday begins at 11:00 AM, presented by Hackensack Meridian Health.
Postgame: Giants Extra Point
This week’s game can be streamed on NFL+.
ROUNDING OUT ROOKIE CAMPAIGNS
Jaxson Dart returned to action in Week 13 after being sidelined for two games due to a concussion. The rookie completed 70.8 percent of his passes, his second-highest completion percentage of the season, for 139 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions and added 20 yards on the ground. However, it came on just four carries, his lowest number of rush attempts since taking over as the starting quarterback. After some time off during the bye week, the 22-year-old returned to the facility ready to roll in the final four games of the season.
“Great to be back,” Dart added after practice. “Really good energy today. It felt refreshing. Had some time off and everybody was just excited to get back to work. Just took a lot of time to self-scout and just going to improve on things we need to improve on in these next four weeks.”
Meanwhile, Abdul Carter’s Week 13 produced mixed feelings. The outside linebacker was benched for the first quarter against the Patriots for a disciplinary matter that interim head coach Mike Kafka said was his decision. This was the second time in three games that Carter was not on the field with the rest of the defense to start the game.
But once he took the field, Carter put together perhaps the best game of his rookie season. The 22-year-old racked up six total pressures in the final three quarters, including the first full sack of his NFL career. It was the first time Carter got a sack since his half-sack in the season opener. The No. 3 overall pick now has nine total pressures and four quarterback hits over his last two games as he looks to keep his strong play going in the final month of the season. Heading into Week 15, Carter ranks ninth among all edge rushers in pass rush win rate at 18 percent, according to ESPN Analytics.
“Just in terms of, like, pattern behavior, he’s doing more,” defensive coordinator Charlie Bullen said Thursday about Carter’s response to his first quarter benching. “He’s watching more film. He’s coming in earlier and staying later. So the response is what I focus on. Everybody makes mistakes. Everybody needs to learn the NFL process, which he’s learning right now. But his response to those moments has been awesome. It’s been pro-like. And that’s all you’re asking a young player to do is just become a pro as they grow in their game. And he has.”
MARIOTA TO START
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn provided a significant update at the start of his Wednesday press conference with the news that Jayden Daniels will not play this weekend. The second-year QB made his return to the field last weekend after an elbow injury sidelined him for a month. However, Daniels took a hit to the same elbow against the Vikings which forced him to depart early. While out there, he completed just nine of 20 pass attempts for 78 yards and an interception.
Veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota will once again start for the injured Daniels. The 11th-year signal-caller has played in nine games with six starts for the Commanders this season. He has completed 62.9 percent of his passes for 1,389 yards, nine touchdowns and seven interceptions while taking 13 sacks. He’s also added 39 carries for 255 yards (6.5 avg.) and one touchdown.
“I think they both have a similar skill set,” Kafka said Tuesday about Daniels and Mariota. “They’re both able to run and throw and operate. Marcus is a veteran quarterback. I remember him from my time in Tennessee. We played together there for a hot minute for a couple weeks. But yeah, a lot of respect for both of those guys. And (Commanders offensive coordinator) Kliff (Kingsbury) does a great job with the offense. Yeah, so it’s going to be a big challenge for us.”
