New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston didn’t walk into this week expecting to start, but he says he’s more than prepared now that Jaxson Dart has been ruled out for Sunday’s matchup with the Detroit Lions due to a concussion.

Winston explained on Friday that he only learned earlier that day that Dart would not be cleared. Throughout the week, the assumption inside the building was that the rookie would make it through the NFL’s concussion protocol since he handled most of the first-team practice snaps.

“I literally just heard,” the 11-year veteran said in the locker room. “But my job is to always be ready. Whatever I need to do to be prepared, I do it.”

This will be Dart’s second missed game after exiting the Giants’ Week 10 loss to the Chicago Bears with a head injury.

Winston said this situation is nothing unusual for him.

“I prepare the same every week,” he noted. “People call it the life of a backup, but really it’s the life of an NFL quarterback. You stay prepared so that when your number’s called, you don’t have to scramble to get there.”

Winston got his first action with New York last week, completing 19 of 29 passes for 201 yards, along with an interception and a fumble on the final play of a 27–20 defeat to Green Bay.

“I’m always going to be ready,” Winston said. “If they tell me I’m the No. 2 or the No. 3, it doesn’t change anything. My preparation stays the same.”

Interim head coach Mike Kafka echoed that confidence.

“Jameis is one of those guys who prepares the right way,” Kafka said. “Honestly, the whole roster does—offense, defense, special teams. Whether you’re on the practice squad or a starter, guys are locked in, studying, and doing the work during the week. So it’s no surprise to me that Jameis is ready. I trusted him last week, and I trust him this week.”

Winston added that Dart looked sharp in practice despite the setback.

“He’s a rising star. I know he’ll bounce back. He’ll be ready, I’ll be ready, everyone will be ready.”

Still, Winston said the team’s focus isn’t on personnel—it’s on finally getting a victory.

“I might be getting Darius Slayton back, and that’s exciting. Another option out there helps a lot, especially after what Isaiah Hodgins did last week, stepping in after barely being here two days,” Winston said. “But the only thing we’re thinking about is finding a way to win. We’re chasing our first road win and our first win in a long time. The focus is on beating the Lions, not on who’s taking the reps.”