New York Giants News and Rumors: JJ McCarthy's Maturity, Dean Lowry Signing, Francis Mauigoa's Perfect Week 7
Updated: 13 hours ago
Published Oct 29, 2026, 10:34 PM ET | By Vincent Rapisardi
JJ McCarthy's composure led Thursday's Giants news, as multiple coaches told SNY's Connor Hughes he was "so mature." The Giants also added Dean Lowry to the practice squad. Here is every story Big Blue Film Room published on Oct. 29, 2026, most important first.
Multiple Giants coaches told SNY's Connor Hughes that JJ McCarthy was "so mature" and "so calm throughout the game" at Houston. Hughes noted that maturity had been an issue for McCarthy in Minnesota.
John Harbaugh's praise centered on the operation. "There were no procedural penalties. We had no issues with the clock running down," he said, per Giants.com. Harbaugh also spoke about McCarthy's past: "He has scars. He's been wounded."
McCarthy went 20 of 28 for 252 yards with no interceptions and a 99.1 passer rating in the 27-21 overtime win over the Texans. He did not throw a touchdown pass, as all four Giants touchdowns came on the ground.
"Truly the only stat I care about is going 1-0," he said after the game. His second start comes Nov. 8 at Philadelphia.
The Giants are signing veteran defensive lineman Dean Lowry to their practice squad, The Athletic's Dan Duggan reported on X. His post opened with "Finally, it's happening." The team made the move official alongside its Tyrone Tracy Jr. injured reserve move.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler first reported the plan before Week 1, according to ProFootballTalk. Lowry, 32, has 85 starts and 16.5 sacks in 132 games with the Packers, Vikings and Steelers.
He tore his ACL in Pittsburgh's training camp and missed the entire 2025 season. The Steelers released him at final cuts on Aug. 30, Field Level Media reported.
The need is real. Opponents have rushed for 897 yards at 4.8 yards per carry, which ranks 30th in the NFL. Duggan's report did not say when Lowry might be elevated.
Francis Mauigoa posted a 100% pass block win rate at Houston, according to PFF. That led every rookie offensive lineman in Week 7, ahead of Spencer Fano at 92.1%. Per PFF's explainer, that means he was not charged with a single lost rep.
He also earned a 66.4 overall PFF grade, ahead of tackles Jermaine Eluemunor (64.2) and Andrew Thomas (61.2), per Giants Wire. The day stands out against a rough start, as his 45.1 season pass-blocking grade ranks 60th of 74 guards, per PFF.
The Giants took him 10th overall in April and moved the former Miami right tackle inside to guard. The pick came from Cincinnati in the Dexter Lawrence trade.
The line still has work to do. McCarthy faced a 46.7% pressure rate, sixth-highest in Week 7, according to ESPN's Jordan Raanan.
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