New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart is believed to have suffered a sprained MCL after his knee buckled awkwardly during the 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, raising immediate fears about the severity of the injury.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that Dart’s X-rays were negative and that he is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Tuesday. Although the quarterback is expected to miss time, the initial diagnosis suggests he has avoided a season-ending injury.
Dart grabbed his knee immediately after Rams defenders Byron Young and Josaiah Stewart collided with him as he attempted to throw to tight end Theo Johnson during the Giants’ opening drive.
Young struck Dart from the quarterback’s right side, forcing him into Stewart. The linebacker then went low, undercutting Dart’s legs and sending him crashing heavily onto the field.
The 23-year-old quarterback was able to leave the field under his own power, though he moved gingerly and appeared visibly frustrated. Dart later headed to the locker room, with Jameis Winston taking over at quarterback, before he was taken away for further medical tests.
Dart was ruled out at halftime but managed to stand on the sideline during the second half. Giants general manager Joe Schoen offered reassurance to ESPN, saying: ‘He’s going to be okay.’
Jaxson Dart is believed to have suffered a sprained MCL during the Giants’ loss to the Rams
Dart stayed down on the turf and grabbed his knee after a Rams defender smashed into it
Dart looked dejected as he made his way back to the locker room under his own power
After being ruled out, Dart was able to stand on the sideline for the second half
ESPN commentator Joe Buck later referenced a report from a colleague claiming that Dart had tried to return to the game, but the Giants would not allow him back onto the field.
The Giants also suffered a major scare involving defensive star Brian Burns, who needed assistance leaving the field after sustaining a suspected leg injury in the fourth quarter. The setback added to the concerns facing new head coach John Harbaugh.
New York nearly endured another blow when star wide receiver Malik Nabers was left in agony with a suspected shoulder injury.
Nabers was hurt while battling Rams cornerback Trent McDuffie for position on a first-down pass late in the opening quarter.
He immediately clutched his right shoulder and headed to the sideline, where several trainers examined him as he appeared to be in considerable pain.
When ESPN returned from a commercial break, Nabers was sitting upright on the bench and massaging the injured shoulder. He ultimately returned to the game.
The 28-6 defeat at SoFi Stadium brought the Giants back down to earth after their victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1.
In that statement victory over their NFC East rivals, Dart completed a strong performance with 230 passing yards, three touchdowns and 54 rushing yards.
The former Ole Miss quarterback had been hoping to build on a promising yet injury-hit rookie season after the Giants selected him No. 25 overall.
Dart appeared in 14 games and started 12 as a rookie, but suffered a concussion during a Week 10 matchup with the Bears. He finished the season with 2,272 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions, while adding 487 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns.
Things looked as though they would get worse when Malik Nabers appeared to be in agony
Nabers ran off the field after competing to catch a pass and dropped to his knees in agony
Defensive star Brian Burns had to be helped off the field after suffering a suspected leg injury
Dart and girlfriend Marissa Ayers posed for a picture together before kick off in Los Angeles
Winston started two games and appeared in three for the Giants in 2025, throwing for 567 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. The 11-year veteran was drafted first overall in 2015, and has also played for the Buccaneers, Saints and Browns.
Moments before his injury, Dart enjoyed a romantic moment with his glamorous girlfriend Marissa Ayers on the sideline. The couple posed for pictures as Ayers stunned in a red dress.
The injury to Dart also comes just 24 hours after fellow quarterbacks Jayden Daniels and Caleb Williams also suffered worrying injuries.
Daniels dislocated his elbow when he tried to brace himself while stumbling during the Commanders’ 37-20 loss at Dallas. The same injury occurred last November and kept Daniels out a month before he tried to play again and aggravated it.
Bears star Williams, meanwhile, was carted back to the locker room when he suffered a hamstring injury in their loss to the Vikings.
Williams’ right hamstring injury is a ‘week-to-week’ situation and coach Ben Johnson admitted he doesn’t expect him to practice this week, although he hasn’t ruled him out for Chicago’s matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles next Monday night.
