Giants vs Jets: 10 things to watch in preseason finale
The Giants-Jets preseason finale at MetLife Stadium on Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET is the last major audition before New York must cut to a 53-man roster by Sunday at 6 p.m. Coach John Harbaugh faces a balancing act over how much Jaxson Dart and other starters play in prime time. Bubble players, Malik Nabers' recovery, and Calvin Austin's injury will shape the run-up to a Sept. 13 home opener against Dallas.
Key Takeaways
- Friday's Giants-Jets game at 7:30 p.m. ET is the final preseason stop before Sunday's 6 p.m. roster deadline.
- Harbaugh is weighing live reps for Dart and starters against health risks before Week 1.
- Nabers shed his non-contact jersey in practice; Austin's knee injury is a blow to the passing game.
- Several roster spots remain undecided, with fringe players fighting for jobs and league-wide tape.
- Rookie lineman Sisi Mauigoa will face his brother Kiko, a Jets linebacker, for the first time.
Will John Harbaugh play Jaxson Dart and the Giants starters?
The biggest question in this Giants-Jets matchup is playing time. Harbaugh told reporters Wednesday that Friday's kickoff is the best chance to simulate the intensity and noise his team will face when Dallas visits for Sunday Night Football on Sept. 13.
Yet the coach acknowledged the risk. Dart was checked for a concussion after a Vikings blitz in the preseason opener, and Harbaugh has asked how much six or 10 snaps are really worth. Andrew Thomas and Tremaine Edmunds may continue to sit, and Nabers is improved but not yet ready for game rigors.
Still, Dart needs live reps to build chemistry with Darnell Mooney, Odell Beckham Jr., Darius Slayton, and rookie Malachi Fields after Calvin Austin tore his ACL. Giants fans overwhelmingly want Harbaugh to play Dart and frontline players in this road game at their own stadium, Yahoo Sports reported.
Which roster spots are still up for grabs?
With less than 48 hours until the league's 6 p.m. Sunday deadline, Harbaugh said three to five roster decisions remain unsettled. Friday's preseason conclusion is the final opportunity for many players to impress the coaching staff or put strong tape out for the other 31 teams.
Bubble players know a standout night against the Jets could secure a roster spot or earn a call from another club.
How close is Malik Nabers to playing in Week 1?
Nabers took a meaningful step in his knee recovery this week, shedding the red non-contact jersey and participating in full 11-on-11 drills. Harbaugh said Monday that Nabers was moving the best the staff had seen.
The coach stopped short of declaring Nabers ready for the Cowboys opener. For now, his progress is one of the most closely watched subplots in this celebrity breaking news cycle around New York football.
What does Calvin Austin's injury mean for the offense?
Austin suffered a non-contact knee injury this week, and Harbaugh called the loss definitely impactful. The veteran had carved out a role on offense and special teams, returning two punts for 29 yards, catching two passes for 24 yards, and breaking a 21-yard run against Miami.
Dart had developed rapport with Austin before the wideout landed on injured reserve. The Giants need more consistent offensive production in a live setting before they can feel confident against Dallas, the Daily News reported.
What else should fans watch beyond the scoreboard?
Assistant GM Brandon Brown credited offensive line coach Mike Bloomgren after the Giants traded Daniel Faalele and Joshua Ezeudu, signaling confidence in backup depth. Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson highlighted Tremaine Edmunds' vocal leadership, though Edmunds has not played this preseason alongside rookie Arvell Reese.
Giants rookie Francis Sisi Mauigoa called facing his older brother, Jets linebacker Kiko Mauigoa, something special in their first NFL meeting. Fans can watch on NBC 4 NY, per Giants.com. After Friday, the focus shifts fast: set the 53, then prepare for a Sept. 13 primetime home opener that counts in the NFC East.