Hours later, Johnson appeared on the scoreboard at Madison Square Garden while attending the New York Knicks’ game against the Atlanta Hawks. That appearance raised questions about how the second-year tight end could be in public even though he will miss the Giants’ season finale in two days.
Johnson even took to Instagram on Friday night and posted a story with the caption, “I’m not sick.”
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This wasn’t a case of the tank theory of the Giants keeping players out for the second straight week in hopes of landing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. According to the team, Johnson is dealing with a non-contagious infection, “not the flu or COVID, where being around other people is a risk.”
Interim head coach Mike Kafka was asked Thursday about Johnson’s weeklong stay on the injury report due to illness. “So he still has a little illness and an infection that we’re getting over. So he’s trying to clean it up and see where it goes,” he said.
Johnson was one of six Giants ruled out for Week 18, along with cornerback Cor’Dale Flott, safety Jevón Holland, offensive lineman Evan Neal, defensive lineman Rakeem Nuñez-Roches Sr. and wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson.
The Giants needed to lose to the Las Vegas Raiders last week to secure the No. 1 pick. They didn’t, winning 34-10. Despite that, they still have a chance to own the top pick, but they need help in Week 18.
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On Sunday, the Giants need to lose to the Cowboys, have the Raiders beat the Kansas City Chiefs and get 1 1/2 combined wins (a tie equals half a win) from the Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks.