Jameis Winston, a former Heisman Trophy winner and the first overall pick in the NFL draft, has led the league in passing yards.
Now, he finds himself potentially as the third quarterback.
Giants head coach Brian Daboll recently reiterated the order behind quarterback Russell Wilson, noting that rookie Jaxson Dart is ahead of Winston on the unofficial depth chart. Dart has played in front of Winston during all three preseason games and led the second-team offense during much of training camp.
This poses a question: how will Winston handle the prospect of being inactive against the Commanders this Sunday?
“Jameis has been incredibly valuable—not just for the quarterback group but for the entire team,” Daboll mentioned. “He’s a true professional. He’s provided a lot of support to Jackson as a younger player, but he’s also a leader for our group. He’s dedicated to doing everything he can for the team.”
Winston has not yet spoken to the media this week, though a source from the team indicated he is expected to embrace his role without causing any issues.
Last season, Winston expressed dissatisfaction with his limited playing time, even giving receiver Jarin Hyatt, who is currently fourth on the depth chart, a lengthy pep talk in the locker room.
“Just stay focused and consistent,” Hyatt shared about Winston’s advice. “If I keep up the practice habits I’ve built, they’ll translate into game performance. Hearing this from someone who’s been around and played at a high level is really encouraging.”
Meanwhile, WR Malik Nabers missed practice on Friday as the Giants decided to scale back his workload due to some tightness in his back.
Nabers wasn’t included in the final injury report, and Daboll reassured everyone, “He’ll be fine for the game.”
In other news, CB Cor’dale Flott mentioned there’s no clear plan about whether he will start following practice. Athletic reported that Flott is likely to replace Deonte Banks during third downs to seize the opportunity presented by the competition.
“I’m ready to go,” Flott stated. “I feel great about it. I’m seizing this chance. When I’m not on the field, I keep myself warm and ready.”
Last year, under Daboll, the Giants dominated their season opener with a score of 53-3. However, following that, they suffered a total defeat of 68-6 against the Cowboys and Vikings in 2023.
“Our focus this year is all about what we can achieve right now, the strengths of this team, and what we need for success,” he added.
