John Harbaugh says no Giants QB decision yet after J.J. McCarthy replaces Jameis Winston

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — J.J. McCarthy took over as the New York Giants’ quarterback after Jameis Winston threw his second interception of the game early in the fourth quarter against New Orleans on Sunday, then led them on three touchdown drives to get within seven points in the final minute.

McCarthy threw for 243 yards in just over 11 minutes, including a TD pass to Isaiah Likely after getting picked off on his first possession. Coach John Harbaugh said after the Giants' 34-27 loss to the Saints that it was too early to say whether Winston or McCarthy would start next weekend at Houston.

“I can’t answer that now,” Harbaugh said. “It’s not even up for discussion or conversation right now. We’ve got to go back and go to work. I have no problem with Jameis whatsoever. I love the way he competes, I love the way he fights — all those kind of things. His play was up and down today, for sure, but those things will all be decided not 10 minutes after a game.”

The Giants were down 34-10 when McCarthy went in for Winston, who was 14 of 26 for 152 yards, a touchdown pass to Tracy and the two picks.

“I myself, personally, just left a lot of plays out there that I could have executed better on,” Winston said.

McCarthy's 271 total yards were second only to Drew Brees' 294 for New Orleans against Atlanta on Nov. 9, 2008, among QBs in the fourth quarter since at least 1991. His 243 yards passing tied Eli Manning from Sept. 16, 2012, versus Tampa Bay for the most by a Giants QB over at least the past 35 years.

“Not pleased when you lose,” McCarthy said. “I was just really proud of the guys around me just responding and always keeping that belief that we can go win this thing. That’s going to be huge going down the stretch.”

McCarthy joined New York in a trade from Minnesota on Sept. 28. The 10th pick in the 2024 NFL draft had two carries last week at Washington and one in the second quarter Sunday after the coaching staff identified situational spots for McCarthy to get on the field.

He had not thrown a pass with his new team until taking over for Winston. McCarthy was 11 of 21, including a fourth-and-1 miss on an attempt to Likely in the end zone with 12 seconds left.

“I thought he came in there and did a heck of a job given the circumstances: kind of desperation time,” Harbaugh said. “It’s different than normal football. But he made some plays and gave us a chance at the end to win the game.”

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New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) and New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston (19) meet on the field after an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Giants quarterback J.J. McCarthy (18) throws during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Giants quarterback J.J. McCarthy (18) runs the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New Orleans Saints linebacker Cameron Jordan (94) looks to defend New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston (19) during the second half of an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Giants quarterback J.J. McCarthy (18) runs the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Rams kicker Blake Grupe injured a knee in his first game with his new team Sunday while making a tackle on special teams against the Arizona Cardinals.

Grupe was hurt after bringing down Devin Duvernay on a 40-yard kickoff return near midfield just over five minutes into the game.

Grupe went straight back to the locker room following an evaluation in the blue medical tent. The Rams ruled him out for the rest of the game early in the fourth quarter.

Grupe had made a 44-yard field goal to put the Rams up 3-0 with 9:41 left into the first quarter.

Los Angeles signed him off the Jets' practice squad on Tuesday to replace Harrison Mevis, who had a potential winning field goal blocked and missed another in the Rams' 37-34 overtime loss to the Buffalo Bills on Monday night.

Mevis was 5 of 9 on field goals this season, having made just three of seven attempts from 40 yards or longer.

Punter Ethan Evans worked out on the sideline practicing kicks following Grupe's injury, but the Rams chose to go for a 2-point conversion — which failed — instead of kicking an extra point following their first touchdown with 8:23 remaining in the second quarter.

Turning to Ethan as the kicker would necessitate additional changes to the operation since he's the regular holder. Backup quarterback Stetson Bennett worked there with long snapper Joe Cardona and Evans on the sideline during the scoring drive.

Evans handled the ensuing kickoff, sending it out of the end zone for a touchback.

Grupe is the Rams’ fifth kicker in their past 57 games. He made all 11 of his field goals in a five-game stint with the Indianapolis Colts last season, having started his NFL career with the New Orleans Saints in 2023.

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Los Angeles Rams kicker Blake Grupe (19) walks off the field with trainers during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)