On Sunday the New York Giants lost 27-34 to the New Orleans Saints. John Harbaugh pulled Jameis Winston in the fourth quarter, after two interceptions, and sent in J.J. McCarthy. NBC/PFT: 243 yards, 17 points, a 34-10 deficit cut; last drive, the pass from the 14 to Isaiah Likely, incomplete. The score stays 27-34. That is not a starter named.

Harbaugh, ten minutes after the whistle: he cannot say who plays in Week 7, against the Houston Texans. “It’s not even up for discussion or conversation right now.” He has “no problem” with Winston, likes how he competes. He did not say Winston remains the starter. Nor that McCarthy is the starter. That is the limit.

OutKick wrote “potential starting quarterback”. That is a reading, not a club decision. McCarthy, arrived from the Minnesota Vikings last month, said he is not pleased when you lose; he has to look at the tape. Harbaugh: he gave the team a chance to win, but coming into a desperate situation is different from a normal game.

Cam Skattebo, the running back, sat in OutKick’s telling; Harbaugh said he did not bench him. He got in but did not carry, the same outlet writes, after four fumbles and one lost this season. The Giants’ run game: 84 yards. Four backs — Najee Harris, Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy, Devin Singletary — are competing for carries. We have not picked a culprit.

The Saints scored 34 straight after a 10-0 home lead. Winston, the starter, had ups and downs. McCarthy played a quarter. A quarter is not a season.

We have not turned Sunday’s whistle into a locker-room ranking. Harbaugh is sending the team back to work. Until he says otherwise, the starter for the Texans is not named.

Image: Kenneth C. Zirkel, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, 3 September 2023, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. Not Sunday’s incomplete pass.

Sources consulted: John Harbaugh on Week 7 QB: Now is not the time to make decision — NBC Sports / PFT; John Harbaugh: No Giants QB decision yet after J.J. McCarthy replaces Jameis Winston vs. Saints — NFL.com / AP.