HOUSTON — It is positively attainable that the addition of J.J. McCarthy in the beginning lineup will assist the Giants get back to the enterprise of working the ball at an acceptable fee, perhaps as quickly as Sunday against the Texans. McCarthy is a far more harmful menace as a runner than Jameis Winston, the quarterback he changed.
It is also positively attainable that having McCarthy as half of the dashing attack will put him at higher bodily threat and that might be concerning. In his temporary time in the NFL, McCarthy, 23, has proven an incapacity to keep away from accidents of all shapes, sizes and severity.
He missed his whole 2024 rookie season when he tore his meniscus in his first preseason sport and wanted knee surgical procedure. He went down with a excessive ankle sprain in Week 2 in 2025, lacking 5 video games.
He missed one sport in concussion protocol and missed another sport that same season when he suffered a hairline fracture in his proper hand in a Week 16 sport against the Giants.
This previous August, he could not play in the ultimate preseason sport for the Vikings because of a sprained ankle.
Knowing when to take off, when to slide and how to defend himself will all be very important parts to McCarthy’s sturdiness. When used judiciously, his capacity to function in the run-pass choice world should open lanes for the working backs, a group that has been among the greatest disappointments on the roster.
J.J. McCarthy runs up area during the Giants’ Week 6 loss to the Saints at MetLife Stadium. Bill Kostroun for New York Post
Another week, another key participant down and out.
ILB Tremaine Edmunds is executed for the season with a shoulder harm, a large loss for a protection already enjoying with out edge rusher Brian Burns, who suffered a knee harm in Week 3 to land on season-ending injured reserve.
Edmunds led the crew in tackles (50) and was on the area for all 380 snaps in the first six video games.
His substitute is Micah McFadden, who will make his first begin since the 2025 opener. He suffered a critical foot harm in that sport and missed the the rest of that season.
McFadden began 35 video games for the Giants in his first three years.
Safety Jevón Holland was downgraded to out. He had been listed as questionable with a concussion.
TE Theo Johnson (neck) was dominated out and did not make the journey.
The Giants in last week’s loss to the Saints managed to get only 34 dashing yards in 14 makes an attempt from their working backs.
Patrick Ricard, the 300-pound blocking fullback, called that “embarrassing to me’’ and said “any respectable kind of run sport’’ must have at least 100 yards.
“It’s been disappointing not being in a position to run the ball,’’ Ricard advised The Post. “That’s the cause I’m here, and for us as a crew not to be in a position to do it, it’s extraordinarily irritating. I take accountability. I really feel like I want to do higher.’’
WR Jalin Hyatt was activated from the observe squad for the first time this season.
McCarthy’s first begin for the Giants comes in a place with nice reminiscences for him.
On Jan. 8, 2024, he won the nationwide championship with Michigan at NRG Stadium, beating Washington 34-13.
“It’s going to be actually cool to be in Houston and I think we’re staying in the same resort that we stayed in when we were there,’’ McCarthy said.