The Giants’ quarterback situation took another ugly turn Sunday, and this time it was JJ McCarthy who went down.
McCarthy was forced out early in the third quarter of New York’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles after taking a hard shot on a first-and-10 scramble to the left. As he tried to protect himself by lowering his head and shoulder, he absorbed a heavy hit straight to his throwing shoulder.
What happened next made it clear this was no ordinary stinger. McCarthy made it to the sideline, then collapsed or doubled over in obvious pain while trying to warm up. He was eventually taken into the blue medical evaluation tent before jogging off to the locker room for additional testing.
Jameis Winston stepped in at quarterback after McCarthy exited.
Before leaving the game, McCarthy had completed 9 of 13 passes for 101 yards. The injury is another brutal blow for a Giants team that has already been scrambling to keep its quarterback room intact. Jaxson Dart is already out for the rest of the 2026 regular season with a severe left knee injury, and Winston had already been replaced in the lineup after the team traded for McCarthy.
McCarthy had given New York a spark since arriving. He won his first start with the Giants in a 27-21 overtime victory over the Houston Texans, and he has now won his last five total starts, including games from the end of his time in Minnesota and his first outing in New York.
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