J.J. McCarthy to wear No. 18 for New York Giants

The New York Giants’ website says quarterback J.J. McCarthy will wear No. 18 because tight end Isaiah Likely is wearing No. 9, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Schefter reported the uniform-number update Tuesday, September 29, citing the team website.

McCarthy’s available Giants data is from 2025-26, when he played 10 games. He completed 140 of 243 passing attempts for 1,632 yards, with 11 passing touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also took 27 sacks. On the ground, McCarthy had 37 rushing attempts for 181 yards and four rushing touchdowns, while recording six fumbles and losing two.

Likely’s data is from 2026-27, and it covers three games with New York. The tight end has 15 receptions on 23 targets for 124 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. He has also recorded one fumble. The No. 9 assignment cited by the Giants’ website places Likely in that number while McCarthy moves to No. 18.

New York enters the available team data at 2-1. The Giants rank 13th in offensive EPA and 24th in defensive EPA among 32 teams. The report identifies the jersey numbers for the two Giants players, while the team data provides the statistical context for McCarthy’s 2025-26 season and Likely’s first three games of 2026-27.