Cowboys–Giants tonight: Nabers active as Dallas tests its protection

Dallas has the receivers to make Sunday night uncomfortable for the Giants. The first question is whether Dak Prescott will get enough time to use them. With Tyler Smith on injured reserve and Malik Davis out, the Cowboys enter their opener needing their remaining pieces to hold up against a New York team beginning its John Harbaugh era.

Cowboys–Giants kicks off Sunday, September 13, at 8:20 p.m. Eastern / 7:20 p.m. Central at MetLife Stadium. NBC and Peacock carry the game; Dallas-area radio coverage is on 105.3 The Fan.

Update, September 13: Malik Nabers is active for the Giants, the team confirmed in its final inactives announcement. The Cowboys confirmed the decision as well, and SNY reporter Connor Hughes reported that Nabers would play. He had been questionable with a knee injury after practicing fully all week. Active status settles his availability; the announcements do not establish a normal workload.

Dallas needs the platform for Prescott

T.J. Bass is Dallas’ replacement at left guard with Smith sidelined following his thumb injury. That puts the offensive line near the center of the evening’s story: CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens can stress a secondary, but longer-developing opportunities require protection.

Big Blue Interactive’s Eric Kennedy identifies that tension in his matchup preview. New York has reasons to attack Prescott, yet committing resources to pressure also creates difficult coverage assignments against Dallas’ receivers. Watch whether the Cowboys can keep the Giants guessing with Javonte Williams instead of repeatedly asking Prescott to solve obvious passing downs.

Davis’ absence narrows the backfield behind Williams. Dallas’ Sunday update confirms that Davis moved to season-ending injured reserve following hip surgery. The Cowboys promoted Israel Abanikanda on Saturday but made him inactive for the opener, leaving Emari Demercado as the available supporting option behind Williams.

Dart’s legs make the job harder

Dallas’ defense faces a different kind of test. In the Cowboys’ official scouting preview, Will McClay highlights the Giants’ use of heavier formations and Cam Skattebo’s physical running, then turns to Jaxson Dart’s ability to escape the pocket and keep a play alive.

That makes rush discipline important alongside pressure. Winning the initial matchup is less useful if Dart can leave the pocket and find Theo Johnson or another receiver downfield. Christian Parker’s rebuilt defense needs both a firm edge against the run and coordinated pursuit when the quarterback moves.

The team’s film breakdown shows what Dallas is preparing to handle, using prior game and preseason examples rather than footage from tonight’s game.

Nabers is active for New York

New York added receiving depth Saturday by signing Dalen Cambre from its practice squad and elevating Braxton Berrios. Pat Leonard reported those moves alongside Nabers’ questionable status, and the Giants confirmed the transactions.

The final inactives list resolves the uncertainty around Nabers. Cambre is inactive despite his Saturday promotion; Berrios is available. Nabers’ role and usage remain worth watching in his first game since last season’s knee injury.

The opener offers a clear set of tests. Can Dallas protect Prescott well enough for Lamb and Pickens to matter? Can its defense finish plays when Dart extends them? And can New York make its new approach work immediately against a divisional opponent? The answers begin under the lights at MetLife.