Brian Daboll and the New York Giants hoped to turn things around after registering that league-worst 3-14 record last season. Yet, all he has to show going into Week 3 this year is a 0-2 start and a whole lot of uncertainty, thanks to a grocery list of injuries.

During the Giants’ practice on Wednesday (Sept. 17), there were several notable absentees. One was linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, who is nursing a calf injury. While he played on the special team in Week 1, he didn’t record any stats. Despite his limited action in the following two days of practice, he is listed as doubtful for Week 3. Thankfully, for Daboll, starter Bobby Okereke is still fit, but a depleted depth chart is going to be a concern for the head coach nonetheless.

Meanwhile, both DL Chauncey Golston (ankle) and LB Darius Muasau (concussion/eye) were absent from all practice sessions from Wednesday through Friday and have been declared as ‘questionable’ and ‘out’, respectively. With 56 defensive snaps to his name over two games, the inside LB took a hit in the head during the overtime loss to the Cowboys and is likely to be replaced by Neville Hewitt against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Defensive lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches is also listed as doubtful despite the hope of his return in the game against the Chiefs after missing Week 2.

Giants wide receiver Gunner Olszewski, who has been dealing with a back injury, has been ruled ‘questionable’. After having limited participation on Wednesday and Thursday, he was absent from practice on Friday.

Wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, who sustained a foot injury against the Cowboys, had limited participation on all three days but is likely to suit up against the Chiefs. Over two games, Robinson has recorded 14 receptions on 18 targets for 197 yards.

As for guard Jon Runyan, he is dealing with back issues after he recovered from the ankle injury he sustained in the Week 13 game against the New Orleans Saints last season. Wide receiver Darius Slayton had limited participation in practice due to a groin issue. He is on the Giants’ injury report this week but currently has no official game designation.

Running backs Tyrone Tracy Jr. (calf), Cam Skattebo (knee), and defensive tackle Robertson-Harris (ankle), and Center John Michael Schmitz (toe) are unspecified.

However, OT Andrew Thomas, who had to sit out the first two weeks due to a Lisfranc injury he suffered last year, had full participation on all three days, and Daboll liked what he saw. “Encouraged where he’s at,” the head coach said on Wednesday, adding that he had “a good amount of reps.”

The Kansas City Chiefs, too, have their own set of worries to deal with. Out since suffering a shoulder injury following a collision with TE Travis Kelce in Week 1, wide receiver Xavier Worthy will have to sit out Sunday night’s game as well. In fact, Jalen Royals has also been listed as ‘questionable’ after missing the first two weeks with a knee injury. “We’ll see how it goes,” HC Andy Reid said of the rookie.

Either way, the Giants will need all the help they can get. Moreover, Daboll would do well to instill some discipline in his players in light of what happened in Week 2.

Brian Daboll’s players get slapped with five-figure fines

The NFL fined linebacker Brian Burns $11,593 for unsportsmanlike conduct and taunting, which occurred with a few minutes left on the clock in the third quarter.

After tackling Javonte Williams for a one-yard loss, Burns celebrated by staring down at the RB. While this wasn’t called out during the game, the league didn’t hesitate to fine the player. This is hardly surprising, considering how fines added up to nearly $200,000 in Week 1, which saw Jalen Carter spit on Dak Prescott.

Another Giants player is offensive tackle James Hudson, who drew four penalties in the opening drive during the game against the Cowboys. One of those even included an open-handed slap of Cowboys edge rusher James Houston’s head. The NFL has fined him $12,172.

Daboll called it a “technique” issue, while Hudson claimed it was not intentional, “The club, I obviously didn’t mean to do it on purpose,” Hudson told Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News. “If you watch the play, the guy was falling, so I mean my hand was higher a little bit.”

The Giants will look to avoid these infractions when they face the Chiefs this week to avoid a 0-3.