McCarthy leaves with hip injury, returns for Giants

New York Giants quarterback J.J. McCarthy left Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles in the third quarter after a hit from linebacker Zack Baun, then returned before the fourth quarter. The Giants said McCarthy sustained a hip injury and was questionable to return; he missed one drive while being evaluated.

McCarthy was running after a first down when Baun hit him. He went to the sideline and tried a warmup throw as trainers assessed him, then entered the blue medical tent and went to the locker room. Jameis Winston replaced him at quarterback.

McCarthy returned to the field later in the third quarter. The reports establish his return during the game but do not provide a definitive diagnosis or a subsequent medical update.

The Giants trailed 8-6 when McCarthy left, according to one game account. Winston led a 14-play, 76-yard touchdown drive that put New York ahead 13-8, with a touchdown pass to Isaiah Likely reported during McCarthy’s absence. McCarthy completed 9 of 13 passes for 101 yards before leaving.

The hit prompted differing descriptions of the area affected, but those descriptions did not establish a diagnosis. The Giants’ reported injury designation was a hip...