The New York Giants appear to have survived another injury scare at the quarterback position. J.J. McCarthy returned to Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles after spending time in the sideline medical tent and locker room while being evaluated for a hip injury.
With McCarthy initially deemed questionable to return, the Giants turned back to Jameis Winston, who started four games before McCarthy replaced him atop the depth chart. Winston led a touchdown drive before he headed back to the sideline.
McCarthy took a hard hit to his lower abdomen on a quarterback keeper in the third quarter. Eagles linebacker Zack Baun led with his helmet while attempting to stop McCarthy's run and made contact with McCarthy's side on the tackle.
JJ McCarthy has checked out of the game and into the blue tent after taking this hit to his throwing shoulder pic.twitter.com/UusCnXfBos
— Talkin’ Giants (@TalkinGiants) November 8, 2026
McCarthy attempted to throw on the sideline before heading to the locker room and was in obvious pain after he completed his throwing motion. He grabbed at his side and fell to the turf as medical staff came to his assistance. Despite the clear discomfort, he was able to get back into game action just before the end of the quarter.
J.J. McCarthy is in pain after an apparent injury. 📺: FOX/FOX One pic.twitter.com/qP3JfP2PUn
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 8, 2026
The Giants were mostly quiet on offense during McCarthy's Week 9 start and scored only six points before he left with the injury. McCarthy was 9-for-13 for 101 passing yards and ran three times for another 11 yards ahead of his brief exit.
Although it seems that McCarthy will remain in action beyond this week, if the injury acts up on him and forces him to miss time, his potential absence may be a significant blow to the NFC East-leading Giants. Already without Jaxson Dart for the rest of the year due to the torn knee ligaments he suffered in Week 2, New York traded for McCarthy as a potential season-long solution. His effectiveness upon insertion into the lineup in the fourth quarter of the Week 6 loss to the New Orleans Saints and in his first start the following week came as a pleasant surprise and gave the Giants reason to believe they could maintain their division lead.
Winston has been serviceable in his own right, so perhaps the Giants could stay afloat if they are ever forced to hand the keys back to him. He went 2-1-1 in his four starts before McCarthy replaced him, and that stretch included a 326-yard performance in the tie with the Washington Commanders and a 250-yard outburst the previous week in a victorious effort. Winston's lack of consistency has long been a limiting factor in his ability to command an offense as a starter, however.
