J.J. McCarthy’s crash course in the Giants playbook apparently comes complete with a report card.
So how has the backup quarterback fared learning things in his second week since being acquired in a trade from the Vikings?
Will he be ready to supplant Jake Haener as No. 2 behind Jameis Winston in time for Sunday’s game against the Commanders?
“I would say it’s an A-plus,” offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said before Thursday’s practice. “You look back seven days ago … he’s much further along, which is, again, a credit to our position coaches. These guys are spending a lot of time with J.J. and with Jake just in case.
“At the same point in time, J.J. is spending a lot of time trying to learn everything. So that part has been great. Proud of him, but this is just the beginning.”
The Giants had a specialized package of plays available for McCarthy last game, but it was not used.
“You work towards what you think his strengths are,” Nagy said. “Even in a short week, we were really starting to get a good feel for that. You start with minimal plays. And then at the same point in time, both him and Jake have to know the entire game plan at all times. So that’s the more challenging part.”
WR Malik Nabers (knee) and LT Andrew Thomas (groin) were upgraded to limited participants.
DT Chauncey Golston (neck) and S Jason Pinnock (concussion) remained out.
TE Isaiah Likely, TE Chris Manhertz and RB Cam Skattebo (shoulder) remained limited, though Skattebo ditched Wednesday’s red noncontact jersey.
RB Najee Harris returned to practice after missing Wednesday for personal reasons.
Charlie Jones is the new Giants kickoff and punt returner after the season-ending foot injury to Braxton Berrios.
“He’s a confident guy,” special teams coordinator Chris Horton said. “His ability to just catch the ball, one of the things we talk about the most is really just being able to field the ball and make great decisions. And then speed. This guy is fast.”
The Giants blitzed significantly more in Week 4 than in Week 3.
“The guys on the back end were very comfortable covering their receivers,” defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson said. “And we played a little bit of man-to-man early in the game, and there wasn’t a lot of separation. So I just kept trying to feed it. And we hit the quarterback a few times, got him off the spot. And then the guys told me, it was like, ‘Coach, keep calling it.’ ”
