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Giants QB J.J. McCarthy to start vs. Texans

By Thomson Reuters Oct 21, 2026 | 12:57 PM

By Field Level Media

Oct 21 (Field Level Media) – Quarterback J.J. McCarthy will get the nod over Jameis Winston to start ​the New York Giants’ game against ‌the host Houston Texans on Sunday, coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday.

The start would be McCarthy’s first since the Giants (3-2-1) acquired him from the Minnesota Vikings ‌on ​Sept. 28 for a ⁠fifth-round pick in the ⁠2027 NFL Draft.

McCarthy replaced Winston in the fourth quarter of New York’s 34-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints last Sunday. ​The former completed 11 of 21 passes for 243 yards and led three ⁠scoring drives.

Signed to a ⁠two-year, $13 million contract extension prior to ​the season, Winston started the previous four games ​for the Giants in place of the ‌injured Jaxson Dart.

Winston, 32, has completed 57.0% of his passes for 957 yards with seven touchdowns and five interceptions in five ⁠games this season.

McCarthy, 23, has connected on 57.2% of his passes for 1,875 yards with 12 touchdowns ⁠and 13 ‌interceptions in 12 career games (10 ⁠starts) with the Vikings and ​Giants.

He was ‌selected by the Vikings with ​the 10th ⁠overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He also won a national championship at Michigan while playing for Harbaugh’s brother, Jim, now the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.

(–Field ​Level Media)