McCarthy, Skattebo Expected Back for Thursday's Commanders Visit

The Giants expect J.J. McCarthy and Cam Skattebo back on Thursday night against Washington, four days after a 19-11 win in Philadelphia. [Where McCarthy, Skattebo injuries stand (New York Post)]

Head coach John Harbaugh said Monday that McCarthy, who left Sunday's game with a hip injury and returned to finish it, should play, and that Skattebo, inactive Sunday with a hamstring injury, should be 'full go' for the Commanders. [Where McCarthy, Skattebo injuries stand (New York Post)]

Sunday showed why both matter. McCarthy took a hit on a designed run at Lincoln Financial Field and came out; Jameis Winston replaced him. McCarthy returned and finished the 19-11 win, and the Giants' week now runs on his hip: the team didn't practice Monday, and the projection was that he would have been a limited participant. [Where McCarthy, Skattebo injuries stand (New York Post)]

Skattebo's file is older and stranger. He went down on a 42-yard run in Houston on October 25, carried a hamstring injury through the bye week, and was listed as doubtful for Philadelphia. Harbaugh said he was 'very close' to playing Sunday before the staff held him out: 'We just decided to not take the risk that would go with it.' [Where McCarthy, Skattebo injuries stand (New York Post)]

The short week compresses every one of those calls. There is no full practice to test a hip or a hamstring at game speed, only projections and walkthroughs, and Thursday's game at MetLife Stadium arrives whether the answers are firm or not. [Where McCarthy, Skattebo injuries stand (New York Post)]

Winston's cameo is the insurance policy, and Sunday proved it cashes. But the Giants built this offense around McCarthy's legs and Skattebo's bursts, and Harbaugh's Monday optimism says both are in the plan when Washington gets to East Rutherford. [Where McCarthy, Skattebo injuries stand (New York Post)]