Theo Johnson has two catches this season. One was a touchdown against Arizona last Sunday. The Giants shouldn't need a big receiving total to recognize a player who could help them finish drives against Washington.
Isaiah Likely has earned the larger role. The useful adjustment would be giving Johnson a few designed red-zone opportunities alongside him, rather than manufacturing a competition between the two tight ends.
Johnson had 45 catches for 528 yards and five touchdowns in 2025. This year, his two receptions have produced 20 yards and a score through four games. He also had 72 receiving yards in the last meeting with Washington. None of that guarantees a favorable matchup Sunday, but it gives New York a reason to test one.
There is a current personnel reason, too. Washington ruled out safeties Percy Butler, Nick Cross and Tyler Owens on the Friday injury report . The Giants should examine whether two-tight-end formations create useful receiving options against the available defenders.
Likely practiced fully Friday and has no game-status designation. He has 22 catches for 190 yards and two touchdowns this season, including seven receptions for 66 yards against Arizona. Giving Johnson more work in selected situations shouldn't require reducing Likely's importance to the offense.
Oct 4, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (84) catches a touchdown pass against Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (1) during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
With both tight ends on the field, New York could give Jameis Winston a second receiving option without immediately announcing a pass-only formation. The value would come from making both players credible targets, not simply lining up Johnson and leaving him to block on every important snap.
A short route off play-action or a designed option near the goal line would be worth trying. Those are possibilities for the staff to consider, not plays confirmed for Sunday's game plan. The execution would depend on protection, spacing and how Washington covers the formation.
There is no need to promise a breakout. Johnson's current volume is small, and a touchdown on one of two catches doesn't establish that he should suddenly receive eight targets. A few purposeful opportunities would be a more sensible adjustment than a complete redistribution of the passing game.
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Washington's missing safeties don't automatically make every replacement an easy target. The defense can change coverage, use other personnel or pressure Winston before a route develops. New York has to identify an actual advantage, not assume one from an injury list.
Wider formations may still be preferable if they give the quarterback clearer reads or create better protection options. If the two-tight-end package crowds the routes or fails to protect, the Giants shouldn't keep using it to justify a pregame idea.
But Johnson has already shown he can produce as a receiver, and he just scored in a game New York won. The offense can acknowledge that without taking anything away from Likely. Against a division opponent missing three safeties, a limited red-zone expansion is worth trying before the Giants settle for the same distribution again.
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