Harbaugh Names J.J. McCarthy Giants' Starting QB for Week 7 at Houston
Jameis Winston moves to backup. Three tackles sat out Wednesday's practice, and Harbaugh said the Giants signed lineman Josh Sills off the Colts' practice squad.
J.J. McCarthy will start at quarterback for the Giants on Sunday at Houston, coach John Harbaugh announced at his news conference Wednesday. Jameis Winston will be the backup, and Jake Haener will be the emergency third quarterback.
The Giants (3-2-1) play the Texans (2-4) at 1 p.m. ET on Fox. ESPN reported the plan earlier Wednesday.
Harbaugh said Winston had done a tremendous job and had won games for the Giants. He called McCarthy the plan going forward but said he would never call anything permanent.
"We will be starting J.J. in the game," Harbaugh said.
McCarthy replaced Winston with 11:25 left in the fourth quarter of the 34-27 loss to New Orleans, with the Giants down 24 points, and finished 11 of 21 for 243 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Winston started the four games after Jaxson Dart was hurt in Week 2, and the Giants went 2-1-1 in them. Our comparison of both quarterbacks through Week 6 has the full numbers.
Harbaugh also said the Giants signed offensive lineman Josh Sills off the Colts' practice squad.
Three tackles did not practice Wednesday: Andrew Thomas (groin), Jermaine Eluemunor (calf) and Marcus Mbow (knee). Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (shoulder) and defensive backs Jevón Holland and Greg Newsome II (both concussion) also did not practice.
Cornerback Paulson Adebo (knee), on injured reserve since Sept. 18, was limited. So were cornerback Colton Hood (concussion, non-contact), tight end Theo Johnson (neck), wide receiver Charlie Jones (Achilles), safety Tyler Nubin (neck), punter Jordan Stout (right knee) and outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (illness). Tight end Thomas Fidone II (shoulder) and wide receiver Darnell Mooney (neck) were full participants.
Our Texans scouting report breaks down Houston. Both teams have their bye after Sunday's game.