J.J. McCarthy 'Impressed from the Moment He' Joined Giants After Vikings Trade, NFL Rumors Reveal

New York Giants quarterback J.J. McCarthy reportedly started turning his image around immediately after he was traded from the Minnesota Vikings.

NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported Saturday McCarthy "has impressed from the moment he entered the building in New York with his attitude and approach."

"A primary focus this week has been on a clean operation—making sure McCarthy can call plays he largely has never run before and get in and out of the huddle efficiently," Pelissero reported.

Coach John Harbaugh announced Wednesday McCarthy would be making the first start of his Giants career in Sunday's Week 7 action against the Houston Texans.

McCarthy played his first significant action for the Giants in relief of Jameis Winston against the New Orleans Saints in Week 6, when he helped chip away at a 24-point deficit to get his team within one score of tying the game.

He finished the fourth quarter having gone 11-for-21 with 243 passing yards, a touchdown and an interception while gaining 26 yards on two carries.

The Athletic's Dan Duggan reported Thursday McCarthy's ability to fill in for Jaxson Dart's absence from the Giants' run game played a role in Harbaugh's decision to name him the team's Week 7 starter.

"It was immediately evident that the coaching staff viewed McCarthy's legs as an asset," Duggan reported. "Even as he was cramming to learn the playbook, the coaches installed quarterback-run packages for McCarthy."

McCarthy is about to test out those packages against one of the most effective run defenses in the league. The Texans have allowed the third-fewest rushing yards against in the NFL during the team's 2-4 start to the season.

The Giants and Texans are set to kick off the Week 7 matchup at 1 p.m. ET in Houston.