Titans vs. Giants: Winston starts and inactive lists

Jameis Winston will start at quarterback for the New York Giants against the Tennessee Titans because Jaxson Dart sustained a knee injury and was placed on injured reserve. Jake Haener will be the backup. The final lists contain seven Giants inactives and six Titans inactives. Kickoff is scheduled for Sunday, September 27, 2026, at 1 p.m. U.S. Eastern Daylight Time at MetLife Stadium, with U.S. coverage on CBS and Paramount+.

Why Jameis Winston is starting

This is not a routine competition-driven change. Dart, a second-year quarterback, injured his knee when two Rams defenders hit him on the opening drive of the Giants’ 28–6 Monday night loss at SoFi Stadium. According to the Giants’ official inactive announcement, the injury is expected to sideline him for at least the rest of the regular season, and he was subsequently placed on injured reserve.

Winston takes over after signing a two-year contract extension five days before the season began. New York also signed Haener from the practice squad to complete the quarterback group; he will back up Winston. The switch is therefore a direct response to Dart’s unavailability, not an announced change following a quarterback competition.

The Giants’ seven inactives

New York’s final list consists of RB Devin Singletary, TE Thomas Fidone II, OL J.C. Davis, DL Josh Tupou, DL Bobby Jamison-Travis, CB Deonte Banks and S Tyler Nubin.

Banks and Nubin entered the final decision as questionable, each with a calf issue. Outside linebacker Brian Buarns was also questionable because of an ankle injury, but he is not among the inactives. Left tackle Andrew Thomas, limited during the week by a groin injury sustained late against Los Angeles, was cleared to play.

On Saturday, the Giants elevated wide receiver and returner Braxton Berrios and linebacker Malik Harrison for a third consecutive week. The final list is more useful than inferring availability from the injury report alone: “questionable” indicated uncertainty, while the pregame inactive announcement establishes who cannot play.

The Titans’ six inactives

Tennessee will be without RB Michael Carter, CB Jaylon Jones, G Atonio Mafi, T Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson, TE Kylen Granson and DT Jackie Marshall. The Titans’ official announcement confirms the same list published by the Giants, including player positions and numbers.

The absences touch several position groups: offensive line, backfield, tight end, secondary and defensive line. That is what can be established from the list; it does not, by itself, confirm tactical adjustments or the replacement starter at every role.

What happened with Tennessee’s questionable players

The Titans’ injury report, updated September 25, listed cornerback Cor’Dale Flott with a quad injury and running back Tyjae Spears with an ankle injury as questionable. Neither player appears among Tennessee’s six final inactives.

Spears did not practice Wednesday or Thursday and was limited Friday. Flott was limited on all three days. The report also showed Tony Pollard sitting out Wednesday and practicing on a limited basis over the next two days, but he received no final game designation. Those records explain the uncertainty followed during the week; their absence from the inactive list is the decisive information about eligibility for this game.

Kickoff and U.S. coverage

Titans vs. Giants starts at 1 p.m. EDT — noon U.S. Central time — on September 27 at MetLife Stadium. The Titans enter their first road game of the season at 0–2, while the Giants arrive at 1–1.

In the United States, the Giants’ official viewing guide lists CBS and Paramount+ for coverage, with NFL+ and Paramount+ as streaming options. Local English-language radio coverage is on WFAN 101.9 FM; the page also lists Giants Radio Network affiliates, a Spanish-language option and SiriusXM channels 198 and 823.

Rights and availability may vary by location and subscription. Check the official page immediately before viewing; the supplied sources confirm U.S. options and do not establish availability in other countries.

Matchup context

The Giants and Titans have met 13 times in the regular season, with New York leading the series 7–6. In the most recent meeting, Week 1 of 2022, the Giants won 21–20 in Nashville. The most immediate facts before this edition are simpler: Winston leads New York’s offense, and the 13 players on the two official inactive lists will not participate.

After the game, visitors in São Paulo can continue the conversation about sports and culture at Becoartes, Rua Gonçalo Afonso, 99, Vila Madalena. Check the official Becoartes website before visiting.