Mystery is continuing to swirl over the ‘illness’ of New York Giants star Theo Johnson after he was spotted in courtside seats at Madison Square Garden, just hours after being ruled out of this weekend’s NFL season finale.
Johnson has missed practice all week and has been ruled out of the Giants’ Week 18 game against the Cowboys with ‘illness’, but turned heads by enjoying a night out watching the Knicks on Friday night – even waving to the jumbotron from his courtside seats.
He then sparked further controversy by posting on Instagram to say, quite simply: ‘I am not sick.’
The Giants have now released a statement on the situation in a bid to quell the noise, but have inadvertently created yet more speculation.
A team spokesperson told The Athletic on Saturday morning that Johnson ‘has an infection, which is an illness, but not the flu or COVID, where being around other people is a risk’.
That is seemingly at odds with comments from interim coach Mike Kafka, who told reporters on Thursday: ‘So he’s just still got a little bit of a sickness and just infection that we’re just working through.’
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
The team is remaining coy over the specifics of tight end Johnson’s ‘infection’, but it was clearly not serious enough to stop him from taking in the Knicks’ 111-99 loss to the Atlanta Hawks at the world’s most famous arena.
His presence at the NBA game enraged some fans, with one taking to X to post: ‘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?!?’
The team clarified that he has an ‘infection’ despite Mike Kafka calling it a ‘bit of sickness’
Kafka’s team are in with a chance of securing the No 1 draft pick if they lose to the Cowboys
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.
