Giants' Jameis Winston to start Sunday vs. Packers with Jaxson Dart in concussion protocol

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2025-11-13

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Changes are happening for the New York Giants following Brian Daboll’s dismissal.

Jameis Winston will start Sunday’s game against the Packers with Jaxson Dart in the league’s concussion protocol, interim head coach Mike Kafka announced on Wednesday. Russell Wilson will assume the backup role.

It’s the first adjustment implemented by Mike Kafka, who is now the Giants’ interim head coach after Daboll was fired on Monday. Kafka previously served as New York’s offensive coordinator since 2022.

Winston’s promotion to the No. 2 role over Wilson on the depth chart was initially reported Wednesday morning by NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo.

Kafka also announced that tight ends coach Tim Kelly has been elevated to OC.

“I think Jameis has done a great job since he’s been here, just like all our quarterback room,” Kafka said. “I got a lot of trust in that room, being in there all the time, pretty much every single day since we’ve been here. I got a good feel for those guys, and I think Jameis will do a heck of a job. I think he’s a great leader, he has a lot of production in this league, and I think he’s going to do a great job leading that group.”

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Wilson, the season-opening starter who was benched for Dart after three games, is demoted to third-string duty upon Kafka’s takeover.

The veteran QB came in for Dart in Sunday’s loss against the Bears, playing the entirety of the fourth quarter. Wilson helped the Giants increase their lead to 10 points by orchestrating a field goal drive once entering the game, but New York wouldn’t come close to points on his next three possessions.

Wilson completed 3 of 7 passes for 45 yards during his time in relief as the Giants blew a double-digit lead to Chicago, bringing their 2025 ledger to 2-8.

Sunday will mark Dart’s first absence since he took over QB1 duties in Week 4. The first-round pick has jolted the Giants offense generating 1,417 passing yards (93.5 passer rating) and 17 total touchdowns (10 passing, seven rushing) in seven starts.

Winston, who had been No. 3 on the depth chart all season, is slated to make his Giants and season debut on Sunday. The 31-year-old started seven and appeared in 12 total games for the Browns last season, amassing 2,121 passing yards with a 13-12 touchdown-interception ratio.