J.J. McCarthy Expected to Play Thursday for Giants

J.J. McCarthy was wincing the whole way on a third-and-10 scramble in the fourth quarter Sunday, and he got 11 yards anyway. That run set up a field goal that pushed the Giants’ lead to 16-8 in a 19-11 win in Philadelphia, after McCarthy had already left once with a hip injury. On Monday, coach John Harbaugh said his quarterback is “doing well” and that it “does look like he’s going to play” Thursday night against Washington.

There is not much time to heal. The Giants are 5-2-1 and lead the NFC East, with Dallas at 4-5, Washington at 2-5-1 and Philadelphia at 2-7. Harbaugh called the two division games in five days the most important stretch of the season, and a win Thursday would drop Washington four games back.

How Sunday Went Sideways

McCarthy took a big hit from Zack Baun on a run early in the third quarter. He tried a throw on the sideline, doubled over, slammed his helmet on the bench and went to the locker room. Jameis Winston came in and led the Giants’ only touchdown drive, going 6 of 8 for 71 yards and finishing it with a 5-yard pass to Isaiah Likely.

McCarthy came back for the fourth quarter. He finished 12 of 19 for 127 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions and was sacked five times. It was his second start since taking the job from Winston, and his first two have both been road wins, in Houston and Philadelphia.

Harbaugh was careful not to promise anything. “I feel fairly good about that,” he said. “I don’t want to get out over my skis with it, but it seems good so far.” Thursday would be McCarthy’s first home start as a Giant.

Skattebo Is Back

The bigger boost might be in the backfield. Cam Skattebo missed Sunday with a hamstring injury, and Harbaugh said he was very close to playing but the team did not want to risk it on a short week. He “should be full-go” Thursday.

New York needs him. Without Skattebo, Devin Singletary carried 21 times for 31 yards, and the Giants ran for 80 yards on 31 attempts. Skattebo leads the team with 418 rushing yards on 98 carries, and Tyrone Tracy is on injured reserve. The Giants were also linked to Jonathan Taylor before pulling their offer to the Colts, and Harbaugh said after the game they will not chase a short-term fix at an exorbitant cost.

The last time these teams met, in Week 5, it ended in a tie, and Skattebo lost a crucial fumble.

Smacktok pick lean: Lean higher on Cam Skattebo rushing attempts Thursday against Washington. He is the clear lead back on 98 carries, the replacement plan did not work in Philadelphia, and a quarterback nursing a hip gives the Giants every reason to stay on the ground. If McCarthy is ruled out and Winston starts, keep the Skattebo lean, since the Giants will want to protect a backup on a short week.