CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Colt McCoy could start for the New York Giants against the Browns Sunday night if Daniel Jones is unable to play.
Giants head coach Joe Judge said Wednesday that he is unsure if Jones will play due to a hamstring and lower leg injury.
“I haven’t decided either way with Daniel,” Judge said. “I’ll go ahead and answer that right now. He came out, there’s really nothing worse for the wear with the previous injury. He did come out with some bumps and bruises. There’s another lower leg issue we’re dealing with right now.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski and defensive coordinator Joe Woods will have to prepare for Jones and McCoy this week.
“That happens over the course of a season, you’ve got to go into it and study both the guys and understand their strengths and things that they may lean on depending on who’s in there,” Stefanski said.
The Browns drafted McCoy in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft, and he appeared in 24 games, starting 21 of them from 2010-2012. He went 6-15 as a starter in Cleveland.
Being a Texas native, Baker Mayfield is familiar with McCoy and has the utmost respect for the veteran.
“I was never a Texas fan, but I did appreciate the way Colt played,” Mayfield said. “He is a winner. There is no doubt about that.
Everything he did for that program, obviously, being right in the backyard of it, I saw all of it. He is a winner. He led his team all of the time. I followed him closely because (Cowboys QB) Garrett Gilbert, who was with us and one of my friends, was Colt’s backup his freshman year. I have always respected Colt. He is a winner. He is a great guy.”
In three appearances for the Giants this year, McCoy is 21-for-35 for 154 yards, a TD, an interception, four sacks and a 68.0 rating.
Jones is 7-17 as a starter since being selected sixth overall in 2019. He’s completed 62.6 percent of his passes for 2,462 yards, eight touchdowns, nine interceptions and a 78.2 rating this season. Jones has also run 55 times for 403 yards and a touchdown this year but been sacked 37 times this year and 75 times in 25 games overall.
“Two good players Stefanski said. “Daniel Jones, I know he was a little bit banged up, but you know the type of athlete he is. He can really hurt you with his arm or his legs. A really good young player. I think he’s a very, very good young player.
“And then Colt McCoy’s done it many times over the years, and he’s won for this Giants team. He’s a veteran, he’s seen it all. He understands what they want to do offensively, where to go with the ball. So really good quarterback, good backup quarterback.”
After replacing Jones Nov. 29 in a win over the Bengals, McCoy led New York to a 17-12 upset of the Seahawks that saw him complete 13 of 22 passes for 105 yards, a touchdown, an interception, two sacks and a 67.4 rating.
“As far as their offense, they are able to do just a pinch more with Daniel, but they are who they are as far as what they do,” linebacker B.J. Goodson said.
“If he is hurt or whatever the case may be, they obviously are not going to take the risk at running him like that if he does play or f they do, it will be more so situational. We will take into consideration.”
Sunday’s game is a must win for the 9-4 Browns, who aim to secure important tie breakers in the AFC Wild Card race with a victory.
The Giants are also in must win mode at 5-8, 1 game behind the Washington Football Team in the NFC East race.