Jaxson Dart's Knee Injury Turns From Scare to Possible Season-Ender for Giants
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart could miss the rest of the season with a left knee injury suffered in Monday night's 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Los Angeles.
The injury came fast. It happened on the seventh play, on the opening possession, when edge rusher Byron Young hit Dart on his right side and drove him into Josaiah Stewart, who undercut his legs.
Dart grabbed at his left knee right away. He went to the blue medical tent — the curtained exam area on the sideline — then walked with a limp back to the locker room. He had X-rays at the stadium and was first listed as questionable to return before being ruled out early in the third quarter, ESPN reported.
The early word was cautiously optimistic. Initial reports said Dart sprained his MCL, a ligament that helps steady the knee, and avoided broken bones. Head coach John Harbaugh said Monday night the team likely avoided a “devastating outcome” and added he did not expect Dart to be out long-term.
Further testing changed the picture. The injury was more severe than initially anticipated, and Dart and the Giants were facing the possibility of season-ending surgery, The Guardian reported. An MRI was set for Tuesday, Sept. 22. Harbaugh said Tuesday that evaluations were still ongoing and declined to give a timeline for a return.
The report that Dart will miss an extended period came from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo.
It is a sharp turn for Dart, 23, in his second NFL season. He opened the year by completing 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for 54 yards in a win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Jameis Winston took over against the Rams. He finished 11 of 27 for 111 yards with one interception, including an end-zone pick. Harbaugh said he has confidence in Winston to step in. Winston signed a two-year, $13 million contract extension earlier in September, and Jake Haener is on the practice squad as extra depth.
For fans, this means a waiting game at the most important position. The 2026 season is the Giants’ first under Harbaugh. They are scheduled to host the Tennessee Titans on Sept. 27, a game that would bring former Giants coach Brian Daboll back as Tennessee’s offensive coordinator.
New York is not alone in the quarterback shuffle. Chicago’s Caleb Williams is week-to-week with a hamstring injury, and Washington’s Jayden Daniels dislocated his left elbow and has no timeline for return.
