Russell Wilson claims undisclosed hamstring tear before Week 2
Quarterback Russell Wilson said he suffered a torn hamstring ahead of New York's Week 2 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, an injury he claims he "couldn't tell anybody" about.
When asked Monday by reporters about his future plans, the 37-year-old Wilson referenced his health as a factor in his decision to keep playing and revealed an injury that did not appear on official Giants' injury reports.
"You know, I played that (Week 2) game, you know, I tore my hamstring on Friday in practice -- the last play of practice. And I had a grade two (tear). I couldn't tell anybody. I had to go and play on it just because I knew the circumstance, I had to play on it, no matter what," Wilson told reporters as he cleaned up his locker after a one-year stint with the Giants.
"I actually ended up going to the Dallas Mavericks' facility, training. And, you know, kept it quiet, just trying to get treatment on it and just knowing that I probably couldn't run from the goal line to the 10-yard line if I wanted to, but I feel like, you know, I got to play this game."
Wilson rushed for 23 yards on three carries, with a long of 15 yards, in the 40-37 overtime loss to Dallas in Week 2. He was 30-of-41 passing for 450 yards and three touchdowns.
Wilson's only appearance on an injury report in the 2025 season was in Week 5 when he was listed as having an ankle issue, though he was listed as a full participant in practice.
It is unclear who, if anyone, in the Giants' organization was made aware of Wilson's hamstring injury, and if anyone in the organization was aware, whether they inappropriately kept that information from other sources such as the opposing teams, the league and the general public.
An investigation by the NFL into who knew what about Wilson's injury is likely forthcoming, in part because of the increasing concerns about inside information related to gambling scandals in other leagues.
After an 0-3 start, the Giants benched Wilson in favor of rookie Jaxson Dart. Wilson ultimately saw brief action in three more games, finishing the season with 831 yards on 58.0% passing. He had three touchdowns and three interceptions.
Wilson insisted Monday he intends to continue his playing career.
"I'm not blinking," he told reporters. "I know what I'm capable of. I think I showed that in Dallas, and I want to be able to do that again. You know, and just be ready to rock and roll, and be as healthy as possible and be ready to play ball."
Wilson won a Super Bowl, made nine Pro Bowls and won 104 games with the Seattle Seahawks from 2012-21 before two seasons with the Denver Broncos and one with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he made a 10th Pro Bowl in 2024.