Giants Aim to Elevate J.J. McCarthy to Backup QB Role

The New York Giants are actively working to prepare rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy for the backup role behind starter Jameis Winston. Head coach John Harbaugh stated Monday that promoting McCarthy to the No. 2 spot for Sunday's game against the Commanders is "on the table" and that the team will see how his progress unfolds during the week.

McCarthy, acquired in a trade with the Vikings, was active as the No. 3 quarterback in the Giants' 36-24 victory over the Cardinals on Sunday. While game plans included potential packages for McCarthy, the situation did not arise to put him on the field. Winston led the team to the win, throwing three touchdown passes against two interceptions, improving the Giants' record to 3-1.

Prior to joining the Giants, McCarthy did not play in any of the first three games for the Vikings. The trade sent McCarthy to the Giants in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round draft pick.

In other team news, primary returner Braxton Berrios suffered a foot/ankle injury during the win against the Cardinals and may be headed to injured reserve, potentially sidelining him for the next four games. Harbaugh indicated that Charlie Jones would be the primary candidate to take over return duties. Jones, signed last week from the practice squad, has prior return experience with the Bengals, where he accumulated 47 kickoff returns and 50 punt returns over three seasons.

Center Bryan Hudson made his first NFL start against the Cardinals, playing every snap and allowing only one pressure, earning a 91.3 pass block win rate according to NextGen Stats. Hudson stepped in as John Michael Schmitz Jr. welcomed the birth of his first child. Harbaugh noted that while Hudson played well, Schmitz is also performing at a high level, creating a positive dilemma for the team's depth at center.