Giants may be without Beckham for opener
New York will also have to deal with Cowboys’ Elliott despite ban
Star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. may not be available as New York starts the season in Dallas.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS » A month ago, the Dallas Cowboys figured to be without star running back Ezekiel Elliott for the opener while facing the New York Giants and dynamic receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
Now it appears the opposite could be true.
Elliott, the 2016 NFL rushing leader as a rookie, is still facing a six-game suspension over a domestic violence case, but will play Sunday night because of the timing of an appeal that was rejected, and an ongoing court fight to try to overturn the NFL’s decision.
Beckham hasn’t practiced since spraining his left ankle in a preseason game against Cleveland on Aug. 21, and that included all the preparations during game week.
So Eli Manning could be without his top receiver for his 200th consecutive start, but will have a new one in six-time Pro Bowler Brandon Marshall, who signed as a free agent. The Giants are trying to win their fourth straight against the Cowboys after sweep-
ing the NFC East champions last year.
“They got weapons now,” Dallas defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli said. “Beckham, he’s special obviously. Those are really good receivers. We know that. They’re stocked up pretty well.”
Beckham is listed as questionable, which is supposed to mean a “50-50” chance of playing.
“You try and get better each and every day,” Beckham said Wednesday. “I’ve been rehabbing an endless amount of hours and treatment, etc. So, just trying to get it right.”
Dak Prescott lost his debut as a rookie quarterback to the Giants in last year’s opener before leading the Cowboys to a franchise-record 11 straight wins. The streak ended in a 10-7 loss at New York that was easily the worst game for the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Dez Bryant was shut down as well, getting one catch in each loss. But now Dallas’ top receiver is coming off his first full offseason
since his All-Pro year in 2014, which his teammates and coaches believe will make a difference.
“Two different teams than we were last year,” Giants receiver Sterling Shepard said. “So, you kind of have to flush that down the toilet and move on.”
Some key story lines for the fifth Giants-Cowboys opener in six seasons:
ELLIOTT SAGA
He was suspended by Commissioner Roger Goodell on Aug. 11 after the NFL concluded he had several physical confrontations with Tiffany Thompson, his girlfriend at the time, in 2016 in Ohio. Prosecutors didn’t pursue the case. Elliott is seeking an injunction to delay the punishment and force a hearing. His status beyond the opener is up in the air.
BECKHAM FACTOR
The 24-year-old had a career-best 101 catches last season for 1,367 yards and 10 touchdowns and has made the Pro Bowl all three seasons. Beckham has five TDs against Dallas, including that famous onehanded catch as a rookie. Roger Lewis Jr. and Tavarres
King are the backups, but a more likely scenario would be a bigger role for first-round draft pick Evan Engram and fellow tight end Rhett Ellison.
DEFENSIVE UNKNOWNS
Dallas linebacker Jaylon Smith should make his debut after missing his rookie season with a college knee injury. The Cowboys aren’t sure what they have in someone who likely would have been a top 10 pick before the injury. They also have high hopes for rookie cornerbacks Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis, but both have missed almost all of the preseason.
GIANTS UP FRONT
The major question for the Giants is the offensive line. The only change is right tackle Bobby Hart replacing Marshall Newhouse, who signed with Oakland as a free agent. This line didn’t open holes for the running backs, but it did put Manning under constant pressure last season. Giants management felt another year together would help the group, especially left tackle Ereck Flowers.