Week 1 did not go well for the New York Giants. That much is already clear. A 21-6 loss to a division rival, Russell Wilson looking like he played his last game (and sounding like it too), and an offensive line doing everything but blocking. If that wasn’t enough, the injury bug wasted no time making its first house call.
The game had barely settled into a rhythm before starting linebacker Micah McFadden went down awkwardly trying to bring down Washington running back Austin Ekeler. He stayed on the ground, didn’t get up, and before anyone could process what had happened, the cart was already on its way to pick him up. He then got carted off, leaving the game in an aircast.
Prayers up for Micah McFadden 🙏 pic.twitter.com/QIOU9cAw5W
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 7, 2025
In the moment, it looked season-ending. And for a team that just gave up 220 rushing yards and 432 total, losing one of the few guys in the front seven who can stop the run felt like one more nail in a coffin that hadn't even been built yet. But then, something interesting happened: good news.
Giants may have just dodged a massive bullet with Micah McFadden
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that McFadden’s X-rays came back negative. And sure enough, later on, there he was back on the sideline with a boot on his foot, and not in the surgery ward. There aren't any reports that have come out yet as to what the injury is, so we won't speculate, but it doesn't look as major as it once did.
And for the Giants, that’s about as close to winning Week 1 as it’s going to get.
McFadden might not be the sexiest name on the roster, but he’s vital in what little structure this defense still has. Without him, the second level was soft. Funny enough, Darius Muasau (filling in for the 25-year-old) got targeted on a touchdown pass literally the next play after the injury. You can't make this stuff up.
The Commanders’ backs had nothing to fear, running all over the lackluster defense. Even with Brian Burns wrecking things off the edge and Abdul Carter flashing in spots, there was no one filling gaps or diagnosing plays the way McFadden can. He's a big part of the defense.
All matters a whole lot more because this is a contract year for the linebacker. The fourth-year player out of Indiana has carved out a pretty crucial role on the defense, and now, assuming the initial tests hold and it’s just a short-term issue, he’ll get a chance to build on it. The G-Men need him. The run defense needs him. This season, hanging by a thread already, absolutely needs him.