Giants Lose McCarthy to Injury Against Eagles
New York's starting quarterback left Sunday's game in the third quarter after being hit by Philadelphia linebacker Zack Baun.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Football
New York Giants quarterback J.J. McCarthy was hit in the midsection by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun at the end of a designed run and was taken into the medical tent in the third quarter. The Giants have not yet provided an update on his status.
Why it matters
With Jaxson Dart out for the season, the Giants' quarterback depth is now thin, with Jameis Winston the veteran backup and Jake Haener, who has made one career start, the only other quarterback on the game-day roster. The injury leaves the team's offense dependent on a short bench in the middle of a competitive season.
Before exiting, McCarthy completed 9 of 13 passes for 101 yards and added 11 yards on three carries. Winston has posted a 2-1-1 record as a starter, with 957 passing yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions, while Haener has completed 18 of 39 passes in his rookie season.
The players
J.J. McCarthy
McCarthy is the New York Giants' starting quarterback, a former first-round draft pick who had taken over the role from Jameis Winston in Week 7.
Jameis Winston
Winston is a veteran quarterback who has played for several NFL teams and is now the Giants' backup after making four starts earlier this season.
Zack Baun
Baun is a linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles who has been a regular contributor on the team's defense since joining the franchise.
The details
McCarthy was scrambling to his left on a designed quarterback run when Baun hit him hard in the midsection at the end of the play. He remained on the ground in pain, grabbed at his right side after attempting a throw, and was walked into the blue medical tent for further evaluation.
Timeline
Week 7: Winston ceded the starting role to McCarthy after making four starts as Dart's backup.
Sunday, November 8, 2026: McCarthy was injured in the third quarter against the Eagles in Philadelphia.
Season Trajectory
The loss of a starting quarterback mid-season often reshapes a team's playoff outlook, as seen when injuries forced backups into larger roles in recent NFL seasons. For the Giants, the question now is whether Winston or Haener can keep the offense competitive while McCarthy's condition is clarified.
With Dart already out and McCarthy's status unclear, fantasy managers relying on Giants passing options should track the depth chart closely. The backup quarterback's workload will determine how much passing volume the offense can sustain over the coming weeks.
The takeaway
Quarterback depth is often tested most in the weeks after a starter goes down, and the Giants' next few games will show how well the backup plan holds up. Readers following the team should watch for official injury updates from the club.
Further reading
For more on how the Giants' quarterback situation is developing, see Football coverage.
