New York Giants linebacker Micah McFadden will undergo foot surgery but is likely to return at some point this season, according to ESPN. NFL Network first reported that the starting defender is set to miss a “significant part of the season” due to this injury.

McFadden injured his foot during the Giants’ Week 1 loss against the Washington Commanders. Trainers placed an air cast on his right leg and carted him off after a tackle on quarterback Jayden Daniels, which was one of three tackles he made that day. Darius Muasau will replace McFadden in the lineup while he recovers from surgery.

Giants coach Brian Daboll noted Monday that McFadden initially thought he had broken his leg, but X-rays confirmed otherwise.

McFadden has been a standout defender since his debut in 2022, making seven starts as a rookie and 14 in each of the following two seasons. The former fifth-round pick surpassed the 100-tackle mark for the past two seasons, achieving career highs in tackles for loss (12) and sacks (3) last year.

The timing of this injury is unfortunate, especially since it’s a contract year for McFadden. At 25, he’s in the last season of his rookie deal and will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year, earning $3.4 million this season.

The first game the Giants will play without McFadden is this Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys.