The New York Giants are preparing to move forward without Jaxson Dart after the rookie quarterback sustained a serious left knee injury in Monday night’s 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Dart is expected to have season-ending surgery despite testing showing that his ACL remains intact.
Multiple structures damaged in Dart’s left knee
Dart was hurt near the close of New York’s opening possession in Los Angeles. Early signs appeared more encouraging: he remained on the sideline in street clothes and tried to return before the Giants removed his jersey. Subsequent imaging, however, revealed a more significant injury.
- Dart suffered damage to his left MCL, PCL and meniscus.
- The meniscus injury is considered the central concern requiring surgery.
- His ACL was not torn.
- The procedure is expected to end his season.
The No. 25 overall selection in last year’s draft had sought additional medical opinions after the injury. The diagnosis changes the direction of a Giants season that began with considerable optimism under first-year head coach John Harbaugh.
Winston takes over at quarterback
Jameis Winston replaced Dart against the Rams and will now be in line for full-time starting duty. The 32-year-old veteran struggled in his relief appearance, completing 11 of 27 passes for 111 yards with one interception.
Winston, in his 12th NFL season, missed several throws he would normally be expected to make. The Giants will need that performance to prove an isolated rough outing rather than an indication of a larger decline as they adjust to losing their starting quarterback.
Fast start gives way to another setback
Dart had shown playmaking promise as a rookie, although a concussion cost him two games. He opened this season in impressive fashion, picking apart the Dallas Cowboys in a Week 1 opening-night victory.
That momentum did not survive much longer. Dart’s early exit against the Rams leaves Harbaugh facing a major quarterback challenge less than two weeks into his first season in New York, with Winston now tasked with keeping the Giants’ offense afloat.
