The New York Giants plan to start quarterback J.J. McCarthy against the Houston Texans on Sunday, reports ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

The decision follows McCarthy’s first extended action in a Giants uniform during Sunday’s 34-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints.

Inserted in the fourth quarter with New York trailing 34-10, the 23-year-old completed 11 of 21 passes for 243 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also led the team in rushing with 26 yards, including a 28-yard scramble, while directing three scoring drives that nearly completed an improbable comeback. His final pass, intended for Isaiah Likely in the end zone on fourth-and-1, fell incomplete.

McCarthy arrived in New York via trade from the Minnesota Vikings on September 28, shortly after Jaxson Dart suffered a season-ending knee injury. The Giants sent a 2027 fifth-round pick to Minnesota for the former No. 10 overall selection, who had been third on the Vikings’ depth chart.

Jameis Winston, 2-1-1 as the starter in Dart’s absence, had opened the previous four games but was benched after throwing his second interception against New Orleans.

Head coach John Harbaugh had declined to name a starter earlier in the week, saying the staff was still working through the decision.

With the Giants (3-2-1) sitting alone atop the NFC East and the Texans (2-4) coming off consecutive wins, the change hands the offense to McCarthy for the first time as the designated starter. New York has a bye in Week 8 before traveling to Philadelphia in Week 9.