The New York Giants will start J.J. McCarthy at quarterback for their upcoming game against the Houston Texans, head coach John Harbaugh confirmed Wednesday. McCarthy, acquired from the Minnesota Vikings less than three weeks ago in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick, will take over the starting role after appearing as a late-game replacement in Sunday’s loss to the New Orleans Saints.

This marks the third starting quarterback for the Giants in just seven games this season, following Jaxson Dart’s injury in Week 2 and Jameis Winston’s subsequent four starts. Winston, who initially stepped in after Dart’s knee injury, struggled with inconsistency during his time as starter, including a recent game against New Orleans that featured two interceptions. Despite a strong performance the week prior against the Washington Commanders—throwing three touchdown passes and guiding a comeback to a tie—Winston has now returned to a backup role.

“Every single week, you’re defined by the last time you stepped foot on the field,” Winston said in response to the change. He expressed acceptance of his role and emphasized his willingness to support the team in any capacity, including mentoring McCarthy. Winston, who was the first overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft and has started for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints, has been credited by Dart for helping him transition to the NFL and is expected to continue providing guidance to McCarthy.

McCarthy, 23, was a high draft pick for the Vikings in 2024 but faced challenges early in his career, including missing his rookie season due to a torn meniscus and battling injuries last year. He went 6-4 as a starter in Minnesota last season but failed to firmly establish himself. Harbaugh noted that McCarthy has already shown comfort with the Giants’ playbook, which may return to some elements used with Dart to leverage McCarthy’s mobility.

“It feels very fitting for me,” McCarthy said of joining the Giants. He acknowledged the rapid changes in recent weeks but expressed optimism about capitalizing on his experience, even if his tenure in Minnesota didn’t meet expectations. His recent performance, which included nearly 250 fourth-quarter passing yards—the second highest for a non-starting quarterback in a game over the past 25 years—demonstrated his potential in leading late-game drives.

Wide receiver Darnell Mooney highlighted McCarthy’s unique style, noting, “He’s not Dart. He’s J.J.” Meanwhile, Harbaugh indicated that McCarthy will start this Sunday in Houston, with no guarantee on how long he will remain the starter but signaling that this is the current plan.

The Giants face the Texans at Houston’s Reliant Stadium, where McCarthy previously led Michigan to a national championship victory in 2024. With McCarthy under center, the Giants hope to stabilize their quarterback situation and build momentum as they approach their bye week.