Giants downgrade TE Theo Johnson to out for Sunday's game at Houston

The New York Giants downgraded tight end Theo Johnson to out for Sunday's game at Houston, ESPN and NFL Network both posted Saturday afternoon. Johnson has a neck injury and had been listed as doubtful on Friday's final report.

What is confirmed

Johnson will not play against the Texans. The Giants also downgraded safety Jevon Holland from questionable to out with a concussion.

Both moves came on Saturday, the day before kickoff, which is when teams make final changes before the inactive list.

Why it matters

A doubtful tag usually means a player is unlikely to suit up, so the downgrade mostly confirms what fantasy managers expected. It still settles the question before Sunday morning and takes the guesswork out of any late lineup swap.

The bigger worry is the injury itself. A neck issue that turns a doubtful player into a confirmed scratch is worth tracking, because it can linger into the next week of practice.

The Giants have also been working through a quarterback change. Earlier this week the team said J.J. McCarthy would start in Houston, so the Giants' passing game will look different without its starting tight end.

What RSO owners should do now

If Johnson is in your starting lineup, bench him now and pick up a streaming tight end before Sunday's early games lock. Don't cut him over one missed game if he is on a reasonable contract, since there is no word on a longer absence.

If you play in a league that rewards defensive players, Holland comes out of lineups too.

What to watch next

Watch the Giants' inactive list about 90 minutes before kickoff to see how they fill the tight end spot. Then watch Wednesday's practice report for Johnson. A full or limited session would point to a short absence, while another missed practice raises the chance this stretches past one game.