Giants TE Johnson (illness) attends Knicks game but out for finale

New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson, who attended a Knicks game Friday night at Madison Square Garden even though he didn’t practice all week due to a non-contagious illness, will not play in Sunday’s season finale against the Dallas Cowboys.

The second-year tight end was shown on the scoreboard sitting courtside during the game, smiling and waving to the camera. He then reposted a photo taken and posted on social media by a New York Post reporter and responded, “I’m not sick.”

The Giants (3-13) said Johnson was dealing with a non-contagious infection, not the flu or COVID-19, where being around other people would not be a risk. So infection is an illness and that’s why he was ruled out of Sunday’s game.

“So he still has a little illness and an infection that we’re working on,” interim coach Mike Kafka said Thursday. “So he’s just trying to clean it up. See where it goes.”

Johnson returned to the Giants facility this week after missing last week’s win over the Las Vegas Raiders. He is one of many players and coaches who have been dealing with the illness this week.

Outside linebacker Abdul Carter, defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence II and receiver Jalin Hyatt also missed practice due to illnesses. Hyatt is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Cowboys. Carter and Lawrence did not receive injury designations. Johnson was the only one left out.

Johnson is second on the team with 45 catches for 528 receiving yards this season. He leads the Giants with five receiving touchdowns.