New York Giants QB Jameis Winston: 'Pressure is for the unprepared"

For the second consecutive week, veteran quarterback Jameis Winston will start for the New York Giants when they face the Detroit Lions on Sunday at Ford Field.

Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, who suffered a concussion in Week 10 against the Chicago Bears, remained in protocol despite limited, non-contact practice participation this week. On Friday, interim head coach Mike Kafka announced Dart had not cleared the necessary tests and would miss the game, along with several other notable players.

Winston, who started last week's 27-20 loss to the Green Bay Packers -- completing 19-of-29 passes for 201 yards and leading a late go-ahead drive before a costly interception -- learned of his starting role only on Friday.

"I just found out," Winston told reporters. "I just knew I had to be ready. Whatever is required for me to be ready, I'm ready for it."

The 31-year-old emphasized his weekly preparation mindset.

"This is the life of being an NFL quarterback. Staying ready so you don’t have to get ready," he said. "Pressure is for the unprepared. I am ready every single week to play."

Winston took additional first-team reps Friday, particularly in red zone work, after splitting snaps earlier in the week. He praised the offensive line as the team's strongest unit, highlighting tackles Andrew Thomas and Jermaine Eluemunor, center John Michael Schmitz, and guards Jon Runyan and Greg Van Roten.

Facing a tenacious Lions defense coached by his former Saints assistant head coach, Dan Campbell, Winston expressed excitement about potentially having wide receiver Darius Slayton back and the dome conditions after last week's windy game.

"These guys are excited, man," he said. "What we're looking for is we're searching for our first road win, and we're searching for our first win in a very long time. So, our intention is focused on... how can we beat the Detroit Lions?"

The 2-9 Giants aim to avoid becoming the NFL's first team mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants QB Jameis Winston: 'Pressure is for the unprepared"