New York Giants fans have been left incensed after spotting one of their players at a Knicks game – just hours after being told he was suffering from an illness.
On Friday afternoon, it was confirmed that Theo Johnson had been ruled out of the Giants’ upcoming clash against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday due to an illness.
Reports claimed that the Giants tight end did not practice throughout the week and, as a result, will miss a second straight game to close out his season.
However, just hours after the news broke, Johnson was seen courtside at the New York Knicks game against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden.
The Giants tight end was shown on the big screen at MSG during the second quarter, where he flashed a big smile and waved to the crowd.
While the reception inside the arena was positive, the same could not be said for the online reaction, with furious Giants fans questioning his illness.
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson was ruled out of their game on Sunday due to ‘illness’
However, just hours after the news, he was spotted smiling courtside at New York Knicks game
Taking to X, one fan wrote: ‘What? Can’t play on Sunday cause you’re sick but well enough to go to a sporting event???’.
‘That’s an interesting way to treat an “illness.”,’ another wrote online.
Meanwhile, one fan used it as an opportunity to poke fun at Johnson’s performances on the field during the season.
They wrote: ‘You’re going to tell me he finally caught something?!?’
During the season, Johnson made 45 pass receptions for 528 yards and scored five touchdowns during his 15 NFL appearances.
Though Giants fans would rather Johnson played in the game against the Cowboys, his absence might actually come as a benefit in the long-term.
As it stands, the Giants remain a contender to secure the first pick of the 2026 NFL Draft – however must lose to Dallas in order to stand a chance of getting it.
Currently, the Las Vegas Raiders are getting the first pick, after accumulating a 2-14 record throughout the season. They play the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
Frustrated Giants fans rushed to social media in reaction to Johnson’s trip to MSG
Johnson made 45 pass receptions for 528 yards and scored five touchdowns this season
Meanwhile, according to a new report, the Giants are considering former Las Vegas Raiders head coaching flop Antonio Pierce among their ‘wide net’ of options.
Pierce played for the Giants for five seasons during his own NFL career, but his coaching career has been underwhelming to say the least, after he went 9-17 in two years with the Raiders.
ESPN are reporting that Pierce is expected to interview for the vacant Giants position, as the team steps up its head coaching search at the end of the season.
The current list of candidates also includes former Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo and Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula.
It is also expected that the Giants will interview current interim head coach Mike Kafka as a ‘wide net’ is cast in a bid to find the right man for the job.
The search is currently being led by general manager Joe Schoen, with reports claiming that there are no plans to fire him – despite many fans being keen to see the end of his reign.
