Source: Giants to start J.J. McCarthy at QB this week - ESPN

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants are turning to J.J. McCarthy as their starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Houston Texans, a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler on Wednesday.

Coach John Harbaugh had to choose between McCarthy and Jameis Winston, who had started the previous four games. Winston had been starting in place of injured starter Jaxson Dart.

The move comes after McCarthy entered the game in the fourth quarter Sunday and threw for 243 yards and led three scoring drives. He provided a spark with his arm and legs and came within 14 yards of potentially completing a miraculous comeback despite trailing by 24 points. It was the second-most passing yards in a fourth quarter by a quarterback who didn't start over the past 25 years. McCarthy led three scoring drives and had the Giants in the red zone before falling short in the final seconds of a 34-27 loss to the Saints.

Harbaugh said Monday that the Giants were «working through» it and «honing in» on a decision about who would start against the Texans.

It was going to be a difficult matchup either way for McCarthy or Winston with Houston having one of the league's best pass rushes. It's third in the league with 18 sacks through five games.

The Giants landed on McCarthy in large part because of his potential. He was the 10th overall pick by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2024 NFL draft out of the University of Michigan.

New York traded a fifth-round pick for McCarthy three weeks ago.

Winston threw for 152 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions against the Saints. He has seven touchdown passes and five interceptions this season.

The Giants went to McCarthy now despite having a bye after this week's game against Texans.

Winston, 32, signed a