The Giants’ quarterback situation took another hit on Sunday, and this one came with J.J. McCarthy walking off after a painful-looking play against the Eagles.
McCarthy left New York’s Week 9 game in the third quarter after taking a heavy shot from Eagles linebacker Zack Baun at the end of a three-yard run. At the time, the Giants were trailing 8-6. He headed to the blue medical tent, and Jameis Winston came on in relief.
The concern only grew from there. FOX cameras later showed McCarthy trying to throw on the sideline before he doubled over in obvious discomfort.
He appeared to be favoring his right side, which sparked early speculation about a rib or oblique issue. He eventually exited the medical tent and jogged into the locker room for more evaluation.
Pam Oliver reported that McCarthy was listed as questionable to return with a hip injury. Winston remained in the game at quarterback.
For Giants fans, it was another uneasy moment in a season that has already seen the position battered. New York lost Jaxson Dart to a season-ending knee injury in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Rams, and McCarthy’s exit put the spotlight right back on the depth chart.
McCarthy’s injury history helps explain why this latest scare landed with so much weight. The former Michigan standout missed his entire rookie season with the Minnesota Vikings after tearing his meniscus in 2024. His second year was also interrupted, with ankle, concussion and hand injuries all limiting his availability.
Since entering the NFL in 2024, McCarthy’s injury log has been a long one: a knee injury in August 2024 that ended his rookie campaign before it started, a Grade 3 high ankle sprain in September 2025 that cost him five games, a concussion in November 2025 that sidelined him for one game, a hairline fracture in his throwing hand in December 2025, and a hand aggravation in January 2026. He also dealt with an ankle injury in August 2026 that kept him out of Minnesota’s final preseason game before his eventual trade to New York.
McCarthy had taken over as the Giants’ starter in Week 7 against the Houston Texans after replacing Winston in the fourth quarter of New York’s Week 6 game against the New Orleans Saints.
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