Giants might have a new reason to try their forgotten tight end

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Giants might have a new reason to try their forgotten tight end

Giants might have a new reason to try their forgotten tight end — Preseason archive: featured photograph is from August 2026; body photograph is from August 2025. Aug 22, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; New York Giants tight end Thomas Fidone II (86) runs with the football against Miami Dolphins cornerback Alex Austin (26) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Alexander Wilson · Empire Sports Media

Fri, Oct 23, 2026 ·

3 min read

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Chris Manhertz was a new addition to the Giants' injury report Thursday, missing practice with a calf injury. Theo Johnson remained limited with a neck issue. Thomas Fidone II practiced fully for a second consecutive day.

That combination should put a small Fidone receiving package into the Houston preparation. It shouldn't put the entire missing tight-end workload on him.

The Giants' latest report lists Fidone with a shoulder issue despite the full participation. He isn't an injury-free guarantee, and Thursday's categories don't settle which tight ends will be available Sunday. The difference is that he has been able to do the full practice work while two players ahead of him have not.

Giants tight end Thomas Fidone II catching a touchdown in the 2025 preseason — Preseason archive: featured photograph is from August 2026; body photograph is from August 2025. Aug 21, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants tight end Thomas Fidone II (86) catches a touchdown opass as New England Patriots safety Marcus Epps (22) defends during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

A small assignment would tell the Giants something useful

Fidone's NFL record shows two appearances and one start in 2026, with no receptions. Across his first two NFL seasons, he has nine appearances without a catch. There isn't a professional receiving sample here that justifies treating him as an established solution.

There is enough background to justify finding out a little more. At Nebraska, he totaled 61 receptions for 633 yards and four touchdowns. College production doesn't carry over automatically, but it gives the Giants more reason to test a defined receiving assignment than to view him only as an emergency name at the bottom of the list.

I'd keep the initial work simple: a short outlet or another clearly defined route, paired with the personnel the Giants believe can handle the protection. The point would be giving J.J. McCarthy another usable option without demanding that a scarcely used tight end manage an entire expanded role immediately.

The published depth chart places Fidone fourth, behind Isaiah Likely, Johnson and Manhertz. That order explains why injuries could create a chance. It does not establish that Fidone can replace Manhertz's blocking assignments or that moving him up automatically improves the offense.

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Don't make Likely solve every shortage

The alternative is to lean more heavily on Likely or use additional receiver personnel. Either could be correct, depending on who is available and which assignments the staff trusts. This isn't an argument for reducing the lead tight end's opportunities to reward a younger player.

It is an argument for separating the work. If a blocking assignment needs a different answer, use that answer. If a limited receiving package can give Fidone meaningful repetitions without compromising the rest, there's value in seeing how he responds.

No promotion, snap allocation or play call has been announced. The recommendation depends on the final health information and what the Giants see in preparation. But a second-year tight end with no career catch won't become easier to evaluate by remaining only an emergency substitute. A small, deliberate opportunity could help New York learn whether it has something more.

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