Darren Waller’s first game with his new team won’t be his first Giants-Cowboys experience.
The biggest acquisition of the Giants’ offseason was born to a father who was a Giants fan from Queens and a mother who was a Washington football fan, so NFC East rivalries are in his DNA.
“Growing up in a house with my parents, NFC East fans, I know the history,” Waller said after Tuesday’s practice. “I know how heated and competitive these games have been over the years, and I know what I’m about to step into on Sunday. I am honored to take the field.”
The Giants haven’t outscored the Cowboys in a season since 2018, but Waller was brought here via trade from the Raiders to build a more explosive offense.
Waller will have “quite a few” family members who moved out of the area returning to their roots to watch his Giants debut.
“Every day of practice leads to a good game on Sunday, so not trying to get too excited, peak before then,” he said. “Just trying to keep building as the week goes.”
Waller brought his father with him to the facility on his first day with the Giants.
“I just know my parents were kind of like anti-Cowboys as far as their team, so I understood what the deal was,” Waller said. “I would be on the couch watching.
“He would be hyped for the Giants, I would be hyped for the Giants by association.”
The Pro Bowl tight end had 12 catches for 105 yards and a touchdown during the Raiders’ 2020 home opener in prime time.
“Those are the kind of environments that you want to play in,” Waller said. “You know everybody’s watching and [you’re] playing against a really good team. I feel like it’s going to bring the best out of you pretty early on.”
WR Cole Beasley, who was a logical candidate for a game-day elevation from the practice squad, instead is sidelined for at least four games after landing on injured reserve.
It is rare for teams to place practice squad players on IR rather than just operate shorthanded, especially because activating Beasley still would count against the maximum of eight IR players per team who can be designated to return within the season.
Coach Brian Daboll did not explain the move other than to rule out that Beasley further aggravated the leg injury that sidelined him near the end of training camp, saying “he wasn’t ready to go.”
The “unofficial” depth chart was released and had LG Ben Bredeson and RG Mark Glowinski as starters, with RG Josh Ezeudu as a reserve (likely to rotate in the game).
Matt Peart was listed as the backup LT and RT, and Shane Lemieux as the backup LG and C.
Rookie Eric Gray is listed as the top punt returner and kickoff returner (taking over the latter from Gary Brightwell) but the fourth-string RB, behind Brightwell.
Newly acquired Isaiah Simmons (weakside linebacker) and Boogie Basham (rush end) are second-teamers.
