Jameis Winston will reportedly start at quarterback for the New York Giants against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, with QB1 Jaxson Dart still in concussion protocol.
The decision will come as a blow to Russell Wilson, who was the team’s starter in the early stages of the season but has now dropped to QB3 on the depth chart.
ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter first reported the news of Winston’s elevation to starter on Wednesday morning, amid fears Dart will remain in concussion protocol.
The newest QB star of the Giants suffered a head injury in last week’s loss to the Bears, taking a hard hit on a fumble in the third quarter.
Wilson came into the game but struggled, and in the aftermath of the defeat head coach Brian Daboll was fired.
Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka has now taken over HC duties and his first decision has been to drop Wilson below Winston on the depth chart.
Winston last played in Week 15 of the 2024 season for the Cleveland Browns, before signing a one-year, $8million deal in New York.
Dart took over from Wilson in Week 4 of this season and has proven to be a rare bright spark for the 2-8 Giants, who sit bottom of the NFC East.
Wilson took to social media shortly after the decision was made public on Wednesday morning, sharing photos from his visit to a children’s hospital in New York.
‘We owe it all to you Jesus!’ he wrote, adding: ‘Amazed by the gift of each day and the healing power of Your love! Grateful for every Tuesday with the kids at @MountSinaiPeds @WhyNotYouFdn.’
Winston, meanwhile, has not been a starter in the NFL since leaving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the end of the 2019 season.
He was QB1 for five seasons before being usurped by Tom Brady, who led the team to the Super Bowl in his first season in 2020.
Winston, meanwhile, moved on to New Orleans for four seasons, before spending 2024 in Cleveland, where he played in 12 games and started seven.
