EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants believe they should have quarterback J.J. McCarthy and running back Cam Skattebo available Thursday night when they host the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium, coach John Harbaugh said Monday.
McCarthy suffered a hip pointer in Sunday's 19-11 win over the Philadelphia Eagles while Skattebo sat out the contest with a hamstring injury. McCarthy missed most of the third quarter after taking a hard hit but returned to help New York close out the contest.
The news on Monday morning seemed promising for the Giants' starting quarterback.
"He's doing well," Harbaugh said on a video call with reporters. "We'll find out more through the course of the day and couple days. But it does look like he's going to play. Feel fairly good about that, but I don't want to get over my skis with it. But it seems good so far."
McCarthy, acquired via trade with the Minnesota Vikings earlier this season, said after the game he was going to be OK. He seemed to me moving well in the locker room and was in good spirits.
The recent acquisition is looking to make his third start for the Giants. New York has won games against the Houston Texans and Eagles in McCarthy's first two starts.
"I feel good," McCarthy said afterward. "At the end of the day, [as] I said, it's a physical game, and a lot of guys are banged up, but we're going to do our best to make sure we turn over as fast as possible and do whatever we can between now and then and make sure we're as close to 100% leading up to a great opponent against Washington."
Skattebo hurt his hamstring on one of the final plays of the Giants' overtime win over the Texans before their bye week. He didn't practice all last week and was listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Eagles.
Despite pushing to play, he was kept out of the contest.
"He was very close. We just decided not to take the risk that would go with it," Harbaugh said. "There were some things that were going to be limited just a little bit maybe, and we decided not to go down that road because of the short week this week. "He should be full-go on Thursday night."
Devin Singletary started in Skattebo's place and rushed for 31 yards on 21 carries. Recently acquired Greg Desrosiers Jr. was the only other running back to get carries for New York. He was signed off the Los Angeles Chargers' practice squad one week earlier.
The Giants have been linked to Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor but recently took their offer off the table. The trade deadline is Tuesday afternoon at 4 p.m. ET and it's possible New York could still add to their running backs room before Thursday night's game.
Having Skattebo back should help McCarthy and a rushing attack that averaged 2.6 yards per carry against the Eagles. McCarthy was the Giants' second-leading rusher with 22 yards on four carries.
McCarthy was injured when he took a big hit from Eagles middle linebacker Zack Baun on the second play of the second half. Jameis Winston stepped in and led the Giants on a touchdown drive that gave them the lead later in the quarter. It was New York's only touchdown of the contest.
Winston finished 6-of-8 passing for 71 yards with a touchdown pass. McCarthy went 12-of-19 for 127 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. He was sacked five times.
The Giants (5-2-1) have an opportunity to take a commanding lead in the NFC East with another division win Thursday night. They already have wins over the Eagles and Dallas Cowboys and tied the Commanders in their first meeting.