Jaxson Dart’s knee injury might be worse than thought; Giants QB could be out for season
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- Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart may have suffered a more serious left knee injury than initially thought during Monday night’s 28-6 loss to the Rams at SoFi Stadium.
- Multiple reports initially indicated Dart may have sprained his MCL and could miss two to four weeks. After further testing, new reports say, Dart could be facing significant time missed.
- Coach John Harbaugh wouldn’t confirm the new reports on Tuesday, saying that “evaluations are ongoing” and no final decisions have been made.
The left knee injury suffered by New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart against the Rams on Monday night may be worse than initial reports indicated.
Upon further testing Tuesday morning, according to multiple media reports, Dart will likely miss an extended period of time, possibly the rest of the season. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that season-ending surgery is a possibility.
Dart was injured early in the first quarter of the Giants’ 28-6 loss at SoFi Stadium, when he was hit hard by Rams linebackers Byron Young and Josaiah Stewart and his leg bent in an unnatural manner.
Reports surfaced later in the game that Dart suffered a sprained MCL, and coach John Harbaugh told reporters afterward that the second-year quarterback appeared to have avoided a “devastating outcome” with the injury.
“We’ll get an MRI tomorrow and have a real good feel for it,” Harbaugh said, “and give you more information from there.”
Matthew Stafford and Davante Adams put on a show as the Rams rediscover their swagger in Aaron Donald’s much-anticipated return, beating the Giants 28-6.
The coaches for the Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders provided updates Monday after their star quarterbacks, Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, were carted off with injuries a day earlier.
Talking to reporters on Tuesday, Harbaugh declined to confirm the new reports about Dart’s status.
“Right now, the evaluations are ongoing,” Harbaugh said. “We haven’t got any final decisions yet. We’ve learned a lot more. I wouldn’t really want to share too much until decisions get made .... so when we know what direction we’re going to have to go, whatever it might be, we’ll announce that. But we don’t have that yet.”
Former NFL quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning seemed to fear the worst while watching the situation unfold live on their alternative broadcast of the game on ESPN2.
“Oh no. Oh no. No, no, no, no, no,” Peyton Manning said as he watched Dart writhe on the ground while holding his knee. “That is not what we want to see. Gosh!”
Peyton is in a vintage car garage in Denver and Eli is at home in New Jersey, but together they enter NFL fans’ living rooms on ‘ManningCast.’
“Tough to watch,” Eli Manning said as a replay aired. “Hate to see that. Hope he’s OK.”
Young, a fourth-year player and 2025 Pro Bowl selection for the Rams, posted in an Instagram Story after the game: “Never play to hurt anybody. I pray for a healthy recovery.”
Dart was able walk off the field and into the locker room gingerly but under his own power. ESPN’s Jordan Raanan reported that the former USC and Mississippi quarterback actually wanted to return to the game but was not allowed to do so by his team.
Instead, Dart watched the second half from the sideline in street clothes, with video appearing to show him telling someone, “They wouldn’t let me come back out.”
Veteran quarterback Jameis Winston filled in for Dart and completed 11 of 27 passes for 111 yards with one interception. Winston has started 89 games during his 12 seasons, mainly for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2015-2019. He went 0-2 as a starter for the Giants last year.
Dart was one of several key Giants (1-1) players to suffer injuries during the loss. Top pass rusher Brian Burns sprained his left ankle and left tackle Andrew Thomas sustained an apparent lower-body injury, with neither player returning to the game.
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Wide receiver Malik Nabers had to pop his right shoulder into place after dislocating it during the first quarter. He stayed in the game but indicated afterward he would undergo X-rays the next day.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
