Giants plan to start McCarthy against Texans, ESPN reports

October 21 update

The Giants plan to start J.J. McCarthy against Houston on Sunday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Wednesday. Jameis Winston is expected to return to the backup role. The decision follows McCarthy's 243-yard relief appearance against New Orleans and resolves the question Harbaugh left open Monday.

Earlier reporting

John Harbaugh left the Giants' starting-quarterback decision open Monday as New York prepared to choose between Jameis Winston and J.J. McCarthy for Sunday's game at Houston.

“We're working through that now, honing in on a decision,” Harbaugh said in the team's published transcript. He said the choice would depend on which personnel and approach gave the Giants their best chance to move the ball, score and protect possession.

McCarthy replaced Winston with the Giants down 34-10 in Sunday's 34-27 loss to New Orleans. He completed 11 of 21 passes for 243 yards, with a touchdown and an interception, according to the Associated Press. His final fourth-down throw toward Isaiah Likely fell incomplete in the end zone.

After the game, McCarthy told The Athletic's Charlotte Carroll that he hoped his performance showed the team it could trust him, while acknowledging that New York still needed to finish games better.

Harbaugh said Monday that Winston's broader work and McCarthy's progress learning the offense would both factor into the decision. He praised Winston's contributions to victories and noted that McCarthy had joined the team only a few weeks earlier.

The coach also cautioned against treating a late comeback as an offensive plan for an entire game. Asked about sustaining that style, Harbaugh said an offense that became too one-dimensional would invite pass-rush problems. He continued to emphasize balance while acknowledging that the Giants' running game had disappointed him.

New York visits Houston on Sunday before its Week 8 bye.

Sources

• McCarthy on earning Giants’ trust after Sunday’s loss
• John Harbaugh’s October 19 quarterback discussion
• McCarthy’s relief appearance and Giants quarterback decision
• McCarthy’s Giants appearance and Houston matchup
• Jeremy Fowler: Giants plan McCarthy start against Houston
• Giants Wire: McCarthy to start at Houston