The New York Giants will play the Houston Texans on Sunday without safety Jevon Holland, who failed to get through the concussion protocol in time, or tight end Theo Johnson, whose neck injury kept him off the flight to Texas. The club moved both to out on Saturday, a day after Holland had been listed as questionable and Johnson as doubtful.
The losses land on a defense that was already short. Middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds went on injured reserve on Saturday with a season-ending torn chest muscle, and cornerback Greg Newsome II is out with a concussion after missing every practice of the week. That leaves the 3-2-1 Giants without two starting defensive backs and their signal-caller in the middle for a game John Harbaugh’s team can use to go two games over .500 before the bye.
The Giants announced that TE Theo Johnson, who was doubtful with a neck injury, and S Jevon Holland, who was questionable with a concussion, have been downgraded to out for tomorrow’s game.
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) October 24, 2026
How the week went for Holland
Holland played all of last Sunday’s 34-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints, then showed up on Wednesday’s report with a concussion and did not practice. He was limited on Thursday and Friday. Dan Duggan reported that the plan was for Holland to seek final clearance on Saturday morning before the team left for Houston; that clearance did not come. The absence is a big one: Holland won the conference’s defensive award for September after intercepting a pass in each of the first three games, and he had four takeaways in that span, more than any player in the league.
Tyler Nubin, the other starting safety, is questionable with a neck injury after three limited practices. On Saturday the Giants elevated safety Raheem Layne from the practice squad, which Duggan read as a sign that Nubin may not be available. If neither plays, New York’s last line will be almost entirely rebuilt.
Adebo returns, the line is in question
The good news comes at cornerback. Paulson Adebo was activated from injured reserve on Saturday, taking the roster spot Edmunds left, and Duggan expects him to start. Adebo was limited in all three practices with his knee and is listed as questionable.
The offensive line is the other worry. Tackles Jermaine Eluemunor (calf) and Marcus Mbow (knee) sat out Wednesday, practiced on a limited basis on Thursday and Friday and are questionable. Andrew Thomas missed Wednesday with a groin injury and was limited the next two days, but he carries no designation. Kayvon Thibodeaux, punter Jordan Stout and receiver Darnell Mooney all finished the week as full participants and are expected to play.
With Johnson out, the tight end group falls to Thomas Fidone II and Chris Manhertz, who was a full participant on Friday after a calf issue. The Giants also elevated receiver Jalin Hyatt, because they have only four receivers on the 53-man roster.
The Giants activated Paulson Adebo and put Tremaine Edmunds on IR.
They elevated Jalin Hyatt and Raheem Layne, which doesn't bode well for Tyler Nubin's availability for tomorrow. https://t.co/hG6pR0J2BL
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) October 24, 2026
Houston’s absences
The Texans (2-4) are missing plenty as well. Running back David Montgomery, safeties Jalen Pitre and Reed Blankenship and tackle Blake Fisher are all out after not practicing all week, while receiver Tank Dell returns for his first game in almost two years. The Texans’ full report is here.
What comes next
The Giants and Texans kick off at 1:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday, October 25, at Reliant Stadium in Houston, with inactive lists due 90 minutes earlier. New York then has its bye before visiting the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, November 8. Follow the game in the Game Center and every listing on the injuries page.
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