LT ERECK FLOWERS While all eyes are on the Cowboys' offense with injuries to Pro Bowl quarterback Tony Romo and an All-Pro receiver in Bryant, their defense is getting back to full strength. Right defensive end Greg Hardy and middle linebacker Rolando McClain are back from four-game suspensions, and the rookie Gregory, the Cowboys' second-round pick, is looking like he'll play for the first time since Week 1. "They've got a real good defensive line," left tackle Ereck Flowers said. "They've got a lot of depth, so it's going to be a good game. We're saying it's going to be a four-quarter game."

WR ODELL BECKHAM JR. Like last week, second-year wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has missed practiced because of a hamstring leading up the Giants' game against the Cowboys on Sunday. While coach Tom Coughlin hopes it's a short-term plan, it might become the norm as long as Beckham is ready by game day and continues to lead all receivers like he did in Philadelphia. This will also be the first game against the Cowboys at MetLife Stadium since "The Catch" launched Beckham's rookie season into orbit.   "It's just kind of one of those things," Beckham said. "You've got to maintain and get as many reps as you can, whether they're physical or mental. So right now, like I said, get as many mental reps as you can and make sure you come out prepared, stick to the game plan."

RB ANDRE WILLIAMS As the last NFL team without a 100-yard rushing game this season, the Giants have shown flashes this season but haven't run the ball consistently as they split the carries between Rashad Jennings, Andre Williams, and Shane Vereen (Orleans Darkwa is used primarily on special teams). Overall, Jennings leads the group with 66 rushes for 243 yards, followed by Williams (45 for 127) and Vereen (29 for 101). Last year Williams led the team in rushing as a rookie, and more touches might help him get into a groove once again. "For Rashad, it doesn't seem to be [hard to get into a groove]," Coughlin said. "For Shane, it doesn't seem to be. I do think that, quite frankly, Williams probably needs more carries. But under the present system, it's something that we have to deal with."

SAFETY BRANDON MERIWEATHER No Giants player is as familiar with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Matt Cassel as Brandon Meriweather. The Giants hope that knowledge proves useful this week.  Cassel will make his initial start for the Cowboys on Sunday after he was acquired in a trade with Buffalo on Sept. 22. Cassel takes over for Brandon Weeden, who started three games after Tony Romo fractured his collarbone in Philadelphia on Sept. 20. Cassel got his first extended opportunity to play in 2008 after Tom Brady suffered a season-ending knee injury in the opener. Cassel led Patriots to 10 wins, but the Patriots missed the playoffs despite an 11-5 record. Meriweather, who signed with the Giants in mid-August, played in every game with 11 starts as a second-year safety on that team. "Matt was an athlete," Meriweather sad. "He was a good runner and he had a strong arm. When he got his time to shine, he capitalized on it. He was that one player that if anything happened to Tom, could go in there and step up."

LB DEVON KENNARD The Giants' second-year linebacker is itching to get back on the field after missing the last two games with a hamstring issue. Before the injury, Kennard racked up 25 tackles and four passes defensed so far this season, including his first career interception in the Buffalo game when he was injured. The Giants pulled off a thrilling 30-27 victory over San Francisco a week later but then fell 27-7 to Philadelphia, snapping a three-game winning streak in the process. "Two weeks felt like freaking two months," Kennard said. "I can't wait to get out there. I love the way our defense is competing and playing week in and week out. And I want to be a part of it. I want do what I can to help us win."