The opening drive of the New York Giants’ 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams ended in concerning fashion. Quarterback Jaxson Dart sustained a knee injury on the final play of the possession, which the team fears is a sprained MCL, according to ESPN/NFL Media.
The expectation is that Dart will miss time, but he appears to have avoided a long-term injury. X-rays performed at SoFi Stadium came back negative, and Dart will undergo an MRI on Tuesday.
Dart took a hit from Rams defenders Josaiah Stewart and Byron Young mid-throw on a third-down deep ball, and on the collision, his left knee bent awkwardly in the air. He fell to the ground and grabbed at his knee in pain while trainers rushed to assess his injury. He then walked to the sideline without assistance.
New York’s medical staff evaluated Dart in the sideline medical tent before escorting him into the locker room. If there is any source of optimism for the Giants in the immediate wake of this injury, it is that Dart was able to walk into the locker room under his own power. The team had a cart ready to transport him from the tent, but he walked slowly down the sideline instead.
Giants general manager Joe Schoen said to ESPN’s Laura Rutledge that Dart is “going to be OK.”
The Giants punted following the failed third-down conversion. Dart went 3-for-5 on the possession for 20 passing yards.
Jameis Winston entered the game in relief of Dart.
Dart’s second season in the NFL was off to a roaring start prior to the injury. He opened the campaign with a 23-for-29 performance in a Week 1 win over the Dallas Cowboys and amassed 230 passing yards and three touchdowns in the divisional victory. It was the best game of his young career by passer rating and suggested that he might be leveling up in real time following a promising rookie year.
If Dart misses time, the Giants could be fairly well-positioned to stay afloat in his absence. Not only is Winston a capable backup with immense starting experience, but the schedule over the coming weeks is quite favorable. The Giants face the Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals and Washington Commanders in Weeks 3-6.
