Despite acquiring him in a trade just this past week, the New York Giants are set to have J.J. McCarthy active for their Week 4 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, per ESPN’s Jordan Raanan.
Ar’Darius Washington, Jihad Ward and Devin Singletary inactive. Washington hasn’t worked out so far.
Giants inactives: S Ar’Darius Washington RB Devin Singletary CB Nikko Reed DL Jihad Ward OL J.C. Davis TE Thomas
“J.J. McCarthy is active. Not the emergency third-string QB.”
McCarthy is still going to be the backup behind starting quarterback Jameis Winston, but Raanan didn’t rule out the possibility of the former Minnesota Vikings first-round draft pick getting some run in specific packages or plays.
“This gives the Giants flexibility to use J.J. McCarthy in specific packages. Perhaps short yardage or goal line? Something to utilize his legs?”
We’ll see if the new No. 18 in New York finds his way onto the field in Week 4.
New York Giants’ Inactives
While McCarthy is up, there are several New York Giants players who won’t be suiting up on Sunday afternoon, and team reporter Dan Salomone shared the full list on X.
CARDINALS INACTIVES ▪️QB Carson Beck (3rd QB) ▪️CB Starling Thomas V ▪️S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson ▪️LB Cameron
There are very few surprises on the list, considering the Giants were dealing with few injuries throughout the week and the last few days of practice.
Running back Devin Singletary, who saw a fairly large role in Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys, has seen his role slowly decrease over the last few weeks. The addition and ramping up of Najee Harris have certainly not helped his case either.
Outside linebacker Jihad Ward, who was signed off the Minnesota Vikings practice squad this past week, will not make his Giants debut this week.
Ward, who played with Big Blue in 2022 and 2023, is back for his second tenure with the team, and should give the Giants defense some improved depth off the edge in the wake of Brian Burns‘ season-ending injury.
2026 seventh-round draft pick Bobby Jamison-Travis is also inactive, which is a bit of a questionable decision by the coaching staff.
Darius Alexander, who has been playing a rotational role for the Giants defense this season, has not been good. Per Pro Football Focus, Alexander has recorded a pass-rush grade of 53.3 and a run-defense grade of 52.3, both middling numbers.
It shouldn’t be much longer until Jamison-Travis starts to take on a larger role with the Giants’ defense.
Despite center John Michael Schmitz missing practice on Friday, he’ll be active in Week 4. His absence was tied to a personal matter and was not due to an injury.
Becuase Schmitz is suiting up, the Giants are keeping backup center J.C. Davis inactive.
Former Baltimore Ravens safety Ardarius Stewart, who was brought over in free agency, will also be inactive at MetLife Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals’ Inactives
Facing off against the New York Giants, the Arizona Cardinals are rather healthy and are not missing any key starters after a full week of practice.
2026 third-round pick Carson Beck is inactive, but will be suited up as the emergency third-string quarterback.
They’ll be down some depth in the secondary as cornerback Starling Thomas V and safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson are inactive.
Linebacker Cameron Robertson is inactive, alongside offensive lineman Josh Fryar and wide receiver Reggie Virgil.
J.J. McCarthy Set to Make Giants Debut After Inactives List Release