How the NFL's Emergency Third QB Rule Works, and Why the Giants Can Use It Sunday

The Giants can designate an emergency third quarterback for Sunday's game against the Washington Commanders, an option they have not had in any of their first four games. Jake Haener's signing to the 53-man roster Wednesday put three quarterbacks on the roster: Haener, Jameis Winston and J.J. McCarthy. The NFL's rule requires all three to be there.

In Weeks 2, 3 and 4, the Giants never had three quarterbacks on the 53, so no designation was possible. Whether they use one Sunday is a separate decision.

What the rule requires

NFL clubs approved the emergency third quarterback in May 2023 as a bylaw, not a playing rule, and it does not appear in the league's 2026 playing rulebook. The league's procedures set these conditions:

• The emergency quarterback must be a bona fide quarterback on the 53-man roster. He cannot be an elevated practice-squad player, and a player from another position cannot be designated.
• The starter and the backup must also be on the 53-man roster.
• The team must have exactly two quarterbacks on its game-day active list. A team that activates three cannot designate a fourth.
• The designation is filed no later than the officials' meeting 90 minutes before kickoff. The player is listed as inactive, so he does not use one of the active roster spots.
• He can enter only if both active quarterbacks are unable to play because of injury or disqualification. A benching or an equipment problem does not qualify.
• If either active quarterback is cleared to return, the emergency quarterback must come out. He can go back in if another injury or disqualification occurs.
• When he is in the game, he has to play quarterback and receive the snap, whether from under center or from the shotgun. He cannot play special teams.

The league's guidance says the rule “is not intended to be a developmental tool.” The only emergency quarterback to enter a game in the rule's first two seasons was Winston, for Cleveland against Cincinnati on Oct. 20, 2024, the Associated Press reported Sept. 16, 2025.

Where the practice squad fits

A practice-squad quarterback can still play on game day through a standard elevation. Teams get two standard elevations a week, and a player can be elevated three times in a season. An elevated quarterback must be on the active list, so he takes one of the active spots and cannot be the emergency quarterback.

Owners approved a change in March 2024 that would have let teams elevate a quarterback from the practice squad an unlimited number of times to fill the emergency role. The NFL Players Association vetoed it, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Aug. 26, 2024. Neither the 2025 nor the 2026 annual meeting approved a change to the rule.

How it applied to the Giants

Week 2 at the Rams, Sept. 21. Jaxson Dart and Winston were the only quarterbacks on the 53. Haener was on the practice squad. The Giants had no eligible player to designate, and the official gamebook lists no emergency quarterback for them. The Rams designated one. After Dart was hurt, Winston was the only quarterback left in uniform. Wide receiver Braxton Berrios, active on a standard elevation, later told NorthJersey.com's Art Stapleton that someone with the team had told him he would play quarterback if Winston went down (our account). Any player on the active list can line up at quarterback. The Giants lost 28-6.

Week 3 vs. Tennessee, Sept. 27. The Giants signed Haener to the 53 the day before the game. He and Winston were the only quarterbacks on the roster, so a designation was again impossible. Haener was active and did not play in the 12-7 win.

Week 4 vs. Arizona, Oct. 4. The Giants acquired McCarthy from Minnesota on Sept. 28 and waived Haener the same day. Haener signed to the practice squad Sept. 30 and was elevated Oct. 3, the first standard elevation he has used this season. Winston and McCarthy were the only quarterbacks on the 53, so for the third straight week no designation was possible.

The Giants activated all three quarterbacks. Coach John Harbaugh said after the game that expecting McCarthy to be the backup for the whole game “was unrealistic.” He said McCarthy's spot gave the team an option “to run certain plays that we had prepared for him,” and that “we needed three guys for kind of the two roles.” Neither Haener nor McCarthy played in the 36-24 win. Arizona designated an emergency quarterback.

What changes Sunday

Haener no longer needs an elevation to dress. With Winston, McCarthy and Haener all on the 53, the Giants can activate two and list the third as the emergency quarterback without using an active spot. If they want McCarthy available for a package of plays again and Haener available as the full-game backup, all three would be active, and no designation would be allowed.

Harbaugh said Monday that McCarthy as the backup this week is “definitely on the table.” Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said Thursday that McCarthy and Haener both have to know the entire game plan. As of Friday morning, the team's posted depth chart lists McCarthy second, but it predates Haener's signing, and Harbaugh has not confirmed a backup.

The Giants must file any emergency designation by the officials' meeting 90 minutes before Sunday's 1 p.m. kickoff.