With the preseason opener less than 48 hours away, coach Brian Daboll and rookie first-round picks Abdul Carter and Jaxson Dart addressed the media.
Here is what we learned.
Carter 'excited' for first game
Rookie outside linebacker Abdul Carter has stood out since taking the field for his very first practice back in rookie minicamp. The 21-year-old has shown off his tremendous athleticism and ability to bend the corner on almost every one of his reps. But doing it in practice against your own teammates and in a game against another opponent are two totally different things. Carter expressed his excitement about taking the field this weekend for his first NFL game, and as he noted, his first football game in general in exactly seven months.
"I'm excited for sure," the outside linebacker said. "Definitely a good opportunity for me to get my routine down, like coming into a football game. My last game was, shoot, six months ago, something like that. So, it's cool to come out here, get a routine down, play football again. I'm excited."
As impressive as he's looked in practice, one thing Carter has not been able to do, obviously, is finish plays. The No. 3 overall pick told the media he's looking forward to finally being able to take a quarterback to the ground this weekend.
"That's going to be fun, just playing in the preseason and get to take guys to the ground, actually sack the quarterback," said Carter. "So, I look forward to that."
See the best photos from practice No. 12 at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
QB Russell Wilson (3)
New York Giants safety Tyler Nubin (27)
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6)
CB Paulson Adebo (21)
RB Dante Miller (25)
DT Roy Robertson-Harris (95)
New York Giants wide receiver Antwane Wells Jr. (2)
New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks (2)
*New York Giants wide receiver Dalen Cambre (5),New York Giants cornerback Nic Jones (31)
New York Giants safety Tyler Nubin (27)
DUPLICATENew York Giants safety Jevon Holland (8)New York Giants wide receiver Beaux Collins (8)
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6)
New York Giants linebacker Micah McFadden (41)/,New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29)
New York Giants running back Dante Miller (25)
New York Giants wide receiver Antwane Wells Jr. (2)
WR Dalen Cambre (5)
New York Giants wide receiver Antwane Wells Jr. (2)
New York Giants safety Jevon Holland (8)
New York Giants wide receiver Da'Quan Felton (9)
RB Dante Miller (25)
S Dane Belton (24) and TE Greg Dulcich (89)
WR Montrell Washington (80)
New York Giants wide receiver Da'Quan Felton (9)
CB TJ Moore (30)
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29)
S K'Von Wallace (34)
S Dane Belton (24) and TE Greg Dulcich (89)
CB TJ Moore (30)
S Raheem Layne (43)
CB Deonte Banks (2)
S Raheem Layne (43)
S Tyler Nubin (27)
CB Paulson Adebo (21)
S Tyler Nubin (27)
RB Dante Miller (25)
CB Dru Phillips (22)
RB Dante Miller (25)
RB Dante Miller (25)
RB Dante Miller (25)
CB Nic Jones (31)
QB Russell Wilson (3)
LB Chris Board (49)
LB Chris Board (49)
S Jevón Holland (8)
LB Chris Board (49)
QB Tommy DeVito (15)
QB Jameis Winston (19)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
S Makari Paige (38)
QB Jameis Winston (19)
CB Nic Jones (31)
ILB Micah McFadden (41)
QB Tommy DeVito (15)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Russell Wilson (3)
S Jevón Holland (8)
QB Russell Wilson (3)
QB Russell Wilson (3)
S Jevón Holland (8)
QB Russell Wilson (3)
RB Dante Miller (25)
S Jevón Holland (8)
WR Montrell Washington (80)
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29)
WR Montrell Washington (80)
K Graham Gano (9)
WR Montrell Washington (80)
S Jevón Holland (8)
WR Montrell Washington (80)
CB Dee Williams (33)
CB O'Donnell Fortune (39)
CB Dee Williams (33)
CB Deonte Banks (2)
CB Deonte Banks (2)
CB Paulson Adebo (21)
WR Darius Slayton (18)
CB Deonte Banks (2)
S Tyler Nubin (27)
ILB Dyontae Johnson (54)
Dart ready to 'take advantage of reps'
When speaking to the media Thursday morning, Daboll would not share which players will or will not play against the Bills. The one exception he made was for rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, whom the head coach confirmed will be making his NFL debut in Buffalo on Saturday.
Due to the depth the Giants have at the quarterback position between Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, Dart may not see the field much once the regular season starts. That's part of the reason why the rookie quarterback is looking forward to Saturday as he soaks up as many game reps as he can.
"This is just the start of a dream of mine so I'm excited to take that next step, be out there, compete at the highest level," Dart said. "My family's going to be there so I'm super excited to have them a part of this journey with me and yeah, I think that's really it. I'm just stoked for the opportunity…
"I'm definitely going to be playing out there so (I'm) just going to take advantage of my reps and my opportunity."
Assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Mike Kafka told the media Wednesday that he simply wants to see Dart run the offense and play the game freely on Saturday. Dart reiterated that message the following day, acknowledging that it likely won't be a perfect performance, which is perfectly fine.
"I'm just focused on being prepared," the rookie quarterback said. "Obviously, I'm going to go out there on the field and compete at my highest level and I'm going to play as hard as I can and I'm going to do good things and I'm going to make mistakes too and I understand that. I'm not going to be perfect when I step out there on that field but I think my mindset is just competing at the highest level, doing what I can to make this offense operate at the highest level and get these chances for the coaches to learn how I play the game, because obviously, we're out at practice, we can't get tackled, it's a little different so it'll be good to get these live-action reps and earn that trust…
"I don't feel like I need to go out there and think to myself, 'I need to prove this. I need to prove that.' I want to kind of just be in my game. I want to be in my own space. I want to be able to encourage others, help raise the play of the guys around me and I just want to win so whatever that takes for me to do when I'm out there on the field, that's my mind set. It's not really about, 'Oh, I'm going to prove this.' Or, 'I'm going to prove that.' How am I going to put our team in the best situation to win?"
Vets talk to rookies before debut
Taking the field before your first NFL game can be overwhelming for a rookie. To try to combat any nervousness before their debuts, Daboll met with the rookie class where he had several of the team's veterans talk to the first-year players on what to expect this Saturday.
"I had a meeting with those guys two days ago and had a number of vets talk to them about their first game that they played in," Daboll said. "A variety of people - maybe a guy in the second year, a guy that's played a long time, they gave them good messaging. Again, football is football. But I think it's important for those guys to hear from the guys that have actually went out there and played and remember their first game. Usually you remember your first game, even though it's a preseason game. And they all delivered good messages to the players that talked to them."
Among the veteran players that spoke were quarterback Russell Wilson, defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence, outside linebacker Brian Burns, and wide receiver Malik Nabers. Despite these players having different experiences with their first NFL games, they all reiterated a similar message.
"The main point was football is football," said Dart. "Obviously, you're taking a next step so it's a little bit more advanced and just little details and schematics and whatnot. At the end of the day, it's the same game you were playing when you were a kid so just enjoy that. Compete, don't leave any regrets out there on the field and don't ever take this moment lightly and there's no light that's too bright to play in."
"They all came in and talked to all the rookies, just telling them about their preseason experience, what they went through, things that they did to help them out," Carter added. "So, we just took from them and tried to apply it to our preseason."
See the best photos from practice at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
QB Russell Wilson (3)
CB Deonte Banks (2), DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (93), Head Coach Brian Daboll and CB Tre Hawkins III (37)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
S Jevón Holland (8)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29)
QB Russell Wilson (3)
OL Marcus Mbow (71), OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
S Jevón Holland (8)
WR Darius Slayton (18)
WR Darius Slayton (18) and WR Malik Nabers (1)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Russell Wilson (3)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
Head Coach Brian Daboll
WR Montrell Washington (80)
WR Montrell Washington (80) and WR Zach Pascal (83)
DT Elijah Chatman (94)
WR Malik Nabers (1)
WR Darius Slayton (18)
WR Malik Nabers (1)
WR Lil'Jordan Humphrey (81)
DT Elijah Chatman (94)
Head Coach Brian Daboll
QB Tommy DeVito (15)
WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette (87)
WR Darius Slayton (18)
S Tyler Nubin (27)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
Head Coach Brian Daboll
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
S Raheem Layne (43) and CB Nic Jones (31)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
TE Thomas Fidone II (86)
Head Coach Brian Daboll
Head Coach Brian Daboll
T Evan Neal (73)
QB Russell Wilson (3)
TE Theo Johnson (84)
QB Russell Wilson (3), Former Head Coach, Tom Coughlin
QB Russell Wilson (3)
QB Jameis Winston (19)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (88)
QB Russell Wilson (3), Former Head Coach, Tom Coughlin
Former Head Coach, Tom Coughlin
Former Head Coach, Tom Coughlin
Head Coach Brian Daboll
TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
T Stone Forsythe (70)
Head Coach Brian Daboll
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
RB Cam Skattebo (44) and OLB Abdul Carter (51)
WR Malik Nabers (1)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (44) RB Cam Skattebo (44)
S Jevón Holland (8)
QB Jameis Winston (19)
TE Thomas Fidone II (86)
G Austin Schlottmann (65)
G Jon Runyan Jr. (76)
CB Art Green (35)
DT Darius Alexander (91)
QB Tommy DeVito (15)
S Jevón Holland (8)
QB Tommy DeVito (15)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
CB Deonte Banks (2)
QB Jameis Winston (19)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Russell Wilson (3)
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
TE Theo Johnson (84)
QB Jaxson Dart (6) and RB Cam Skattebo (44)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
ILB Dyontae Johnson (54)
Head Coach Brian Daboll
Head Coach Brian Daboll
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
WR Jalin Hyatt (13)
OLB Abdul Carter (51), Tom Coughlin
G Greg Van Roten (74)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
QB Russell Wilson (3)
S Jevón Holland (8)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
DT Darius Alexander (91)
CB TJ Moore (30)
S Jevón Holland (8)
WR Lil'Jordan Humphrey (81)
TE Jermaine Terry II (48)
WR Beaux Collins (8)
CB Nic Jones (31)
S Jevón Holland (8)
CB Dru Phillips (22)
WR Zach Pascal (83)
WR Dalen Cambre (5)
WR Zach Pascal (83)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29)
QB Jameis Winston (19)
TE Theo Johnson (84)
WR Malik Nabers (1)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
WR Darius Slayton (18)
TE Theo Johnson (84)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) and OLB Brian Burns (0)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
G Aaron Stinnie (64)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
CB Art Green (35)
G Aaron Stinnie (64)
RB Dante Miller (25)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
WR Malik Nabers (1)
CB Korie Black (25)
QB Jameis Winston (19)
C Jimmy Morrissey (67)
Generic NY
T Jermaine Eluemunor (72) and OLB Brian Burns (0)
CB O'Donnell Fortune (39)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
WR Malik Nabers (1)
TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
WR Malik Nabers (1)\
New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) reacts during Back Together Weekend at the team's NFL football training camp, Sunday, July 27, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants safety Jevon Holland (8) catches the ball during Back Together Weekend at the team's NFL football training camp, Sunday, July 27, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) passes the ball during Back Together Weekend at the team's NFL football training camp, Sunday, July 27, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) fist bumps John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61) during Back Together Weekend at the team's NFL football training camp, Sunday, July 27, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) hands the ball off to Cam Skattebo during Back Together Weekend at the team's NFL football training camp, Sunday, July 27, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) huddles with teammates during Back Together Weekend at the team's NFL football training camp, Sunday, July 27, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) reacts during Back Together Weekend at the team's NFL football training camp, Sunday, July 27, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) greets fans during Back Together Weekend at the team's NFL football training camp, Sunday, July 27, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) reacts during Back Together Weekend at the team's NFL football training camp, Sunday, July 27, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants linebacker Brian Burns (0) talks with Abdul Carter (51) during Back Together Weekend at the team's NFL football training camp, Sunday, July 27, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) passes the ball during Back Together Weekend at the team's NFL football training camp, Sunday, July 27, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants linebacker Abdul Carter (51) reacts during Back Together Weekend at the team's NFL football training camp, Sunday, July 27, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) talks with Abdul Carter (51) during Back Together Weekend at the team's NFL football training camp, Sunday, July 27, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) makes a catch during Back Together Weekend at the team's NFL football training camp, Sunday, July 27, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
TE Thomas Fidone II (86)
TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
TE Theo Johnson (84)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
TE Greg Dulcich (89)
WR Darius Slayton (18)
WR Jalin Hyatt (13)
S Jevón Holland (8)
ILB Micah McFadden (41)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
QB Tommy DeVito (15)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
S Tyler Nubin (27)
K Graham Gano (9)
T Evan Neal (73)
ILB Dyontae Johnson (54)
T Stone Forsythe (70)
ILB Ty Summers (47)
QB Russell Wilson (3)
G Greg Van Roten (74)
DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (93)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
TE Chris Manhertz (85)
CB Dru Phillips (22)
DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (93)
CB Cor'Dale Flott (28)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
G Jon Runyan Jr. (76)
RB Devin Singletary (26)
C Bryan Hudson (60)
LS Casey Kreiter (59)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
WR Malik Nabers (1)
QB Jaxson Dart (6) and Tiki Barber
WR Malik Nabers (1),CB Cor'Dale Flott (28)
RB Dante Miller (25)
QB Russell Wilson (3)
G Jake Kubas (63) and QB Jameis Winston (19)
QB Jameis Winston (19)
QB Tommy DeVito (15)
WR Montrell Washington (80)
Head Coach Brian Daboll and CB Deonte Banks (2)
CB Deonte Banks (2) and CB Tre Hawkins III (37)
S Raheem Layne (43)
S Raheem Layne (43)
T Evan Neal (73)
TE Greg Dulcich (89)
ILB Darius Muasau (53)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
G Jake Kubas (63)
WR Da'Quan Felton (9), WR Juice Wells Jr. (2), and WR Gunner Olszewski (0)
TE Theo Johnson (84)
TE Theo Johnson (84)
WR Da'Quan Felton (9)
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
Head Coach Brian Daboll
WR Jalin Hyatt (13)
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29)
RB Jonathan Ward (23)
QB Jameis Winston (19)
WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette (87)
RB Jonathan Ward (23)
RB Dante Miller (25)
CB Tre Hawkins III (37) and WR Lil'Jordan Humphrey (81)
S Jevón Holland (8)
CB Deonte Banks (2)
DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (93)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Tommy DeVito (15)
RB Devin Singletary (26)
TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
TE Greg Dulcich (89)
WR Lil'Jordan Humphrey (81),CB Tre Hawkins III (37)
WR Malik Nabers (1), WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17), and WR Darius Slayton (18)
QB Russell Wilson (3)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (93)
QB Jameis Winston (19)
QB Jameis Winston (19)
CB Deonte Banks (2), CB Cor'Dale Flott (28), CB Dru Phillips (22) and S Tyler Nubin (27)
WR Montrell Washington (80)
QB Jameis Winston (19)
Head Coach Brian Daboll
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
CB Deonte Banks (2)
CB Deonte Banks (2), CB Cor'Dale Flott (28), CB Dru Phillips (22) and S Tyler Nubin (27)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
CB Deonte Banks (2)
CB Deonte Banks (2)
S Dane Belton (24)
CB Deonte Banks (2)
WR Montrell Washington (80) and QB Jaxson Dart (6)
CB Art Green (35)
WR Montrell Washington (80) and QB Jaxson Dart (6)
WR Montrell Washington (80)
CB Deonte Banks (2)
LS Casey Kreiter (59)
QB Russell Wilson (3)
CB Deonte Banks (2)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
S Jevón Holland (8)
WR Lil'Jordan Humphrey (81)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
Former Head Coach, Tom Coughlin
S Dane Belton (24)
WR Montrell Washington (80)
TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
Tom Coughlin
WR Lil'Jordan Humphrey (81), QB Jaxson Dart (6), WR Zach Pascal (83)
LB Chris Board (49)
QB Russell Wilson (3), Former Head Coach, Tom Coughlin
WR Jalin Hyatt (13) and QB Russell Wilson (3)
QB Russell Wilson (3)
WR Montrell Washington (80)
Generic NY Logo
OLB Abdul Carter (51), Tom Coughlin
QB Russell Wilson (3)
TE Theo Johnson (84)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58) and S Tyler Nubin (27)
TE Theo Johnson (84)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
S Dane Belton (24)
QB Jameis Winston (19)
LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (44)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
WR Malik Nabers (1)
LS Casey Kreiter (59)
WR Malik Nabers (1)
WR Darius Slayton (18)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Russell Wilson (3)
WR Dalen Cambre (5)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
CB Art Green (35) and CB Deonte Banks (2)
TE Theo Johnson (84)
