Giants turn to Jameis Winston at quarterback after losing Jaxson Dart for regular season
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- Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart will miss the rest of the regular season after injuring his left knee during Monday night’s 28-6 loss to the Rams at SoFi Stadium, coach John Harbaugh said.
- Multiple reports initially indicated Dart may have sprained his MCL and could miss two to four weeks. Further testing revealed more serious injuries that reportedly will require surgery.
- Coach John Harbaugh said the team will add a quarterback to the roster to help back up new starter Jameis Winston.
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart will miss the rest of the regular season after injuring his left knee against the Rams on Monday night at SoFi Stadium, coach John Harbaugh told reporters on Wednesday.
Veteran Jameis Winston will take over. He has started 89 games during 12 seasons, mainly for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2015-19. He went 0-2 as a starter for the Giants last year and struggled against the Rams.
“Jameis has been practicing every day,” Harbaugh said. “He’s taken reps. He knows the offense. He’s been in every single meeting. He’s been engaged every step of the way with everything we’re doing. So from that perspective, it’s seamless. It’s not ideal at all, but it’s definitely seamless.”
Winston told reporters Wednesday that it’s “a privilege” to be in a position to help the team in Dart’s absence.
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.
“My focus is on being my very best, going out there and having elite fundamentals and precise execution,” Winston said. “That’s what it starts with — and it’s as simple as that, no matter how big it may seem, being present and focused on doing all that you can do with what you have, with where you are.
“For right now, that’s keeping Jaxson’s spirits uplifted and going out there on that football field and being the New York Football Giants starting quarterback.”
Harbaugh would not speculate on Dart’s possible availability if the Giants make the postseason.
“There’s no way to know,” Harbaugh said during the team’s press conference. “It just depends on the recovery. You can’t pinpoint it exactly.”
Harbaugh would not specify the nature of Dart’s knee injury. Multiple media outlets have reported that Dart has damage to his meniscus and medial collateral and posterior cruciate ligaments that requires surgery. ESPN’s Adam Schefter also reported that Dart has damage to his posterior cruciate ligament.
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.
Harbaugh replied “I don’t know” when asked when Dart is having surgery.
Harbaugh added that the Giants plan to add another quarterback. Jake Haener, who started one game for the New Orleans Saints in 2024, will be promoted from New York’s practice squad to serve as Winston’s backup against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
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.
An MRI the next morning revealed that the injury was more severe than originally thought.
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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. 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.”
Winston filled in and completed 11 of 27 passes for 111 yards with one interception.
Dart was one of several key Giants 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.
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 Associated Press contributed to this report.
