The Giants’ trip to Houston just got a lot thinner.
New York will be without safety Jevón Holland and tight end Theo Johnson for Sunday’s NFL Week 7 matchup, taking two more starters off the board at a time when the roster is already being stretched. Holland was dealing with a concussion, while Johnson was listed with a neck injury.
Giants downgraded S Jevón Holland (concussion) and TE Theo Johnson (neck) to out for Sunday’s game at Houston.
- Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 24, 2026
Holland’s loss hits especially hard in a secondary that had already taken on water earlier in the week. The Giants had already ruled out linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and cornerback Greg Newsome II, leaving the defense lighter before even factoring in Holland’s status. Newsome suffered a concussion against the Saints, and Holland had gone through the concussion protocol this week before being listed as questionable on the final injury report and then shifted to out.
That means New York heads into Sunday with even less room to maneuver on the back end against a Texans offense that has picked up momentum with two straight wins after opening the season 0-4. Houston is 2-4 entering Week 7, while the Giants are 3-2-1 and sitting atop the NFC East.
The Texans have injury issues of their own, with safeties Reed Blankenship and Jalen Pitre, running back David Montgomery and offensive tackle Blake Fisher all unavailable.
Johnson’s absence also creates another headache for New York on offense as the Giants prepare to start J.J. McCarthy at quarterback. Johnson has been a steady part of the tight end mix, and with him out, the Giants will have to lean even more on Isaiah Likely and the rest of their tight ends.
McCarthy earned the start after replacing Jameis Winston in last week’s loss to New Orleans. In that game, he threw for 243 yards and a touchdown after coming off the bench.
Now the Giants are juggling a quarterback change and a thinner skill group at the same time. Johnson’s injury removes another reliable option from the passing game, and Holland’s absence strips another veteran presence from the defense.
With Holland, Johnson, Edmunds and Newsome all out, New York enters Sunday badly shorthanded on both sides of the ball. For a team trying to protect its place in the division, that’s a rough way to walk into Houston.
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