Harbaugh Says Jameis Winston Starts vs. Cardinals, J.J. McCarthy Will Be No. 2 or No. 3 QB
Brian Burns will have surgery on his torn ACL, with no timeline given. Harbaugh said he knew of no free-agent quarterback workout but that "all options are on the table."
Jameis Winston will start Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, and newly acquired J.J. McCarthy will be "either the number two quarterback or the number three quarterback," Giants coach John Harbaugh said Monday.
"Jameis will be the starter for as long as I can see into the future," Harbaugh said at his news conference, the same day the Giants acquired McCarthy from Minnesota for a 2027 fifth-round pick. The trade is pending a physical; Harbaugh did not discuss the physical.
Harbaugh said he did not know who would back up Winston. "It could be Jake or it could be J.J.," he said, adding that it would be decided during the week. Jake Haener, signed off the practice squad Sept. 26, was waived Monday. The Giants had not announced a move to bring him back as of Monday night.
Harbaugh said getting McCarthy up to speed "will definitely be extra work" and would go "game-by-game, crash course, so to speak." He said the coaches know the Vikings' offense "a little bit" and would settle on the approach over the next few days.
General manager Joe Schoen and the Giants' scouts had McCarthy "right near or at the top of the list" of quarterbacks the team discussed, Harbaugh said. Asked about a free-agent quarterback workout, he said he had "not been apprised of a free agent quarterback workout" but that "all options are on the table."
Outside linebacker Brian Burns, who tore his ACL in Sunday's 12-7 win over Tennessee, will have surgery, Harbaugh said. He called Burns "in many ways the leader of the defense." He did not give a timeline, and the Giants had not moved Burns to injured reserve as of Monday.
Harbaugh said Kayvon Thibodeaux and Abdul Carter will have to take on more of the pass rush. "It's not going to be a problem for Kayvon to play more snaps," he said, adding that the defense needs "to get to the quarterback more."
The Giants (2-1) host the Cardinals (1-2) at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 4, at 1 p.m. ET.