Theo

Johnson

Johnson was seen practicing in a non-contact jersey last week, so today’s full session is positive. Unfortunately, Johnson’s path to fantasy football TE1 status is likely blocked by TE Isaiah Likely, so Johnson is not on the radar for most leagues.

John Harbaugh has said that Johnson “will be fine,” but we’re going to cover our bases on this one with the Giants keeping five tight ends. Johnson has a week and change to get healthy for Sunday Night Football in Week 1.

This is the third positive report in as many months for Likely, who is set to handle TE1 duties for his new team. Johnson is slated for the TE2 role after posting a 45/528/5 receiving line in his second NFL season last year. Giants WR1 Malik Nabers recently underwent a clean-up procedure on his knee and field-stretching WR Darius Slayton is recovering from core muscle surgery. Nabers will retake the No. 1 pass-catching role when healthy. Slayton, 29, is on the downslope. Likely is in the low-end TE1 tier and could improve his stock through the spring and summer.

Likely followed former Ravens head coach John Harbaugh to New York in free agency, as expected, and signed a three year deal worth up to $47.5 million — a hefty deal considering Likely’s 2025 struggles in Baltimore. With the signing, the Giants “essentially swapped Likely in for Wan’Dale Robinson, signaling the shift in their offensive approach,” Duggan said (Robinson signed with the Titans). Likely will be “paired often” with TE Theo Johnson in a New York offense that should be among the league leaders in two tight end usage, just like Harbaugh’s Ravens, Duggan added. Likely, who should operate as a big slot receiver for Jaxson Dart, could have volume-based upside in 2026.

Johnson was courtside at the Knicks game on Friday night and was featured on the Jumbotron, but is apparently not feeling well enough to suit up on Sunday. The Giants are no longer likely to earn the first pick in the draft after their win over the Raiders in Week 17, but they could still nab a top-three selection with a loss today and some help.

Two weeks missed with an illness is rather unusual. We hope Johnson is alright and the story about the illness isn’t too gruesome. Johnson returned five touchdowns with a 45/528 line, becoming more involved with the offense when Jaxson Dart took over against the Chargers in Week 4. It’s possible that Johnson exits the 2026 offseason with a TE1 case, but he feels more like a high-end TE2 from where we sit today. His absence in Week 18 gives Daniel Bellinger a chance to feast against Dallas.

Johnson came down with a bug last Friday and was unable to play in Week 17 against the Raiders. He must be really going through it. Fortunately, Johnson was seen observing practice from the sideline. Yesterday, he was reportedly among a group of ill players sent home by the coaching staff. He has a chance to play this week. Stay tuned.

Per ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, Johnson was among three players who “were sent home or not at practice as they deal with illnesses.” Dang. Johnson got sick last Friday and was unable to play in Week 17. Hopefully, he returns to good health by the end of the week. He has blossomed into a trusted pass catcher for QB Jaxson Dart.

The Giants threw the ball 13 times in a losing effort against the Vikings last week, so even if Johnson were to play today, his target volume would be difficult to project. His absence gives No. 2 TE Daniel Bellinger a chance to operate as a full-time player, though, putting him on the touchdown-dependent TE1 radar.

Johnson was added to the injury report late in the week with an illness and missed altogether Friday. The 24-year-old tight end won’t even travel with the team to Las Vegas this week. His absence thins out an already thin Giants tight end group, though it’s unlikely many fantasy managers were counting on Johnson after putting up a zero in Week 16.