{"id":650055,"date":"2026-01-03T06:55:20","date_gmt":"2026-01-03T06:55:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/650055\/"},"modified":"2026-01-03T06:55:20","modified_gmt":"2026-01-03T06:55:20","slug":"giants-star-supposedly-suffering-with-an-illness-enrages-fans-as-hes-caught-watching-the-knicks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/650055\/","title":{"rendered":"Giants star supposedly suffering with an ‘illness’ enrages fans as he’s caught watching the Knicks"},"content":{"rendered":"

By JAMES COHEN, SPORTS REPORTER<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 23:27 EST, 2 January 2026 | Updated: 23:32 EST, 2 January 2026 <\/p>\n

New York Giants<\/a> fans have been left incensed after spotting one of their players at a Knicks game – just hours after being told he was suffering from an illness.\u00a0<\/p>\n

On Friday afternoon, it was confirmed that Theo Johnson had been ruled out of the Giants’ upcoming clash against the Dallas Cowboys<\/a> on Sunday due to an illness.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Reports claimed that the Giants tight end did not practice throughout the week and, as a result, will miss a second straight game to close out his season.<\/p>\n

However, just hours after the news broke, Johnson was seen courtside at the New York Knicks<\/a> game against the Atlanta Hawks<\/a> at Madison Square Garden.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Giants tight end was shown on the big screen at MSG during the second quarter, where he flashed a big smile and waved to the crowd.<\/p>\n

While the reception inside the arena was positive, the same could not be said for the online reaction, with furious Giants fans questioning his illness.<\/p>\n

\"New <\/p>\n

New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson was ruled out of their game on Sunday due to ‘illness’<\/p>\n

\"However, <\/p>\n

However, just hours after the news, he was spotted smiling courtside at New York Knicks game<\/p>\n

Taking to X, one fan wrote: ‘What? Can\u2019t play on Sunday cause you\u2019re sick but well enough to go to a sporting event???’.<\/p>\n

‘That’s an interesting way to treat an “illness.”,’ another wrote online.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, one fan used it as an opportunity to poke fun at Johnson’s performances on the field during the season.<\/p>\n

They wrote: ‘You\u2019re going to tell me he finally caught something?!?’\u00a0<\/p>\n

During the season, Johnson made 45 pass receptions for 528 yards and scored five touchdowns during his 15 NFL appearances.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Though Giants fans would rather Johnson played in the game against the Cowboys, his absence might actually come as a benefit in the long-term.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As it stands, the Giants remain a contender to secure the first pick of the 2026 NFL Draft – however must lose to Dallas in order to stand a chance of getting it.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Currently, the Las Vegas Raiders are getting the first pick, after accumulating a 2-14 record throughout the season. They play the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\" \"\" \"Frustrated <\/p>\n

Frustrated Giants fans rushed to social media in reaction to Johnson’s trip to MSG<\/p>\n

\"Johnson <\/p>\n

Johnson made 45 pass receptions for 528 yards and scored five touchdowns this season<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, according to a new report, the Giants are\u00a0considering former Las Vegas<\/a> Raiders head coaching flop Antonio Pierce among their ‘wide net’ of options.<\/p>\n

Pierce played for the Giants for five seasons during his own NFL career, but his coaching career has been underwhelming to say the least, after he went 9-17 in two years with the Raiders.<\/p>\n

ESPN are reporting that Pierce is expected to interview for the vacant Giants position, as the team steps up its head coaching search at the end of the season.<\/p>\n

The current list of candidates also includes former Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, Packers defensive coordinator\u00a0Jeff Hafley, Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo and Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula.<\/p>\n

It is also expected that the Giants will interview current interim head coach Mike Kafka as a ‘wide net’ is cast in a bid to find the right man for the job.<\/p>\n

The search is currently being led by general manager Joe Schoen, with reports claiming that there are no plans to fire him – despite many fans being keen to see the end of his reign.<\/p>\n

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