The Giants will head into Sunday’s matchup with the Houston Texans missing one of their starting inside linebackers, but there’s at least a bit of relief on the injury front elsewhere.
Tremaine Edmunds will not play after suffering a torn chest muscle, an injury that is expected to end his season. That opens the door for Micah McFadden, the fifth-year linebacker and former starter, to step back into the lineup.
McFadden has already been through this kind of shift before. He started full time for New York in 2023 and 2024, then lost that role after a foot injury in Game 1 last season knocked him out for the rest of the year. Earlier this week, he said the opportunity still means plenty to him.
“If I get to go out there and play and start and do what I’ve gotten to do before, I’m excited,” McFadden told Big Blue View earlier this week.
He was also candid about the frustration that comes with going from starter to spectator.
“Whenever you’re used to something, you’ve had a taste of the pie, I guess, and then you don’t get to go out there and eat with your boys anymore, it’s tough, but I think it’s just about staying present,” McFadden said. “This game is a week-to-week basis, and obviously I had a pretty upsetting first week last year, and I learned a lot through that process, though. A lot of gratitude to be healthy and just to be able to play again, and I think that’s what I found most throughout these past six weeks is just, just finding gratitude in whatever situation I’m in.”
McFadden may have more than just a starting job on his plate. There’s also a chance he handles the green dot and relays defensive calls from coordinator Dennard Wilson.
“I’ve done it before, and I think Dennard knows that there’s a handful of guys that could all do this on our defense,” McFadden said. “Whether I am that guy or not I’ll be prepared for it. I’m glad that I have had experience doing it in the past just to, you know, so this wouldn’t be my first time.
“Obviously if that opportunity presents itself, it’s something I would take pride in and make sure I’m communicating with everybody.”
New York should get some help back on the edge and in the secondary. The Giants designated cornerback Paulson Adebo to return this week, and he appears on track to be activated before Sunday. With Greg Newsome II still in concussion protocol and already ruled out, Adebo could be in line for immediate snaps against Houston.
“He’s ready to go,” Harbaugh said. “He’s a legit corner.
He’s a cover corner, he tackles. He’s been a high-end corner in this league.
I think he’s really determined to play that way. I think he’s finally probably healthy and ready to go.
I can’t wait to see it … it looks like it’s going to be Sunday.”
The Giants also listed several other players on their final injury report. Out are Edmunds and Newsome.
Theo Johnson is doubtful with a neck injury. Jeramie Eluemunor, Jevón Holland, Marcus Mbow, and Tyler Nubin are questionable.
Houston’s injury list includes safety Reed Blankenship (concussion/hand), offensive tackle Blake Fisher (thumb), running back David Montgomery (groin), and safety Jalen Pitre (shoulder).
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