J.J. McCarthy will not start for the New York Giants against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, despite the team acquiring him from the Minnesota Vikings earlier this week.
McCarthy arrived in New York after Jaxson Dart was ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury. However, Giants coach John Harbaugh made it clear that the trade was not an immediate change at quarterback. Jameis Winston remained the starter, and McCarthy was brought in to strengthen the position group.
J.J. McCarthy Continues Learning Giants Offense
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The biggest reason is that McCarthy has had only one week to learn the Giants’ offense after being traded on Sept. 28.
Harbaugh said McCarthy spent the week working to become immersed in the offense, describing his preparation as learning the system and doing what the team asked of him. When asked about the quarterback’s role, Harbaugh said the Giants were still figuring out how to use McCarthy and Jake Haener, but confirmed that McCarthy will be ready for whatever he has to do on Sunday.
Winston, meanwhile, has already spent the past two games operating as New York’s starter. Harbaugh confirmed after the Giants’ Week 3 win over Tennessee that Winston would start against Arizona.
J.J. McCarthy’s Role in Week 4 Against Cardinals
The Giants elevated Haener from the practice squad Saturday, giving the team another quarterback option for the Cardinals matchup. Haener is expected to back up Winston, while McCarthy is positioned as the emergency quarterback.
That does not mean McCarthy is out of the Giants’ plans. The 23-year-old remains a former No. 10 overall pick and has 10 NFL starts from his time with Minnesota. He completed 140 of 243 passes for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in those starts.
In Week 4, though, the Giants are sticking with Winston while McCarthy continues learning the offense.
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