New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart could miss the remainder of the season, a source confirmed to Outkick on Tuesday, as medical evaluations continue on the left knee injury he suffered early in Monday night’s game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Dart, his doctors and the team are still working out next steps. The source declined to specify why a season-ending outcome is possible, but that scenario would become likely if Dart needs surgery for a detached MCL ligament, a procedure that can carry a recovery timeline of four to five months.
Coach John Harbaugh declined to go that far during his day-after press conference on Tuesday.
“I’m not sure exactly what news or anything’s been stated, but right now, 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. That takes more than one person, takes everybody involved. So when we know, you know, what direction we’re gonna have to go or whatever it might be.”
Harbaugh is set to meet with Dart again after the quarterback gets a second opinion on the MRI he underwent Tuesday. A decision on how to proceed will then be made together with medical experts and Dart himself.
“So, I don’t want to get out over our skis on that,” Harbaugh said.
Outkick first reported Monday night that Dart had suffered a sprained MCL and would miss time. Asked after the game about the injury reports, Harbaugh said they were in the correct “neighborhood.” That came after ESPN reported general manager Joe Schoen told sideline reporter Laura Rutledge that Dart “will be OK.” That may still turn out to be true, but it could take a long while.
What is certain is that Dart will not play Sunday against the Tennessee Titans. Jameis Winston becomes the Giants’ new starting quarterback for the time being. The team is also likely to promote Jake Haener from the practice squad as a backup, and may add Brandon Allen as well.
The injury threatens to derail the Giants’ season just two games in. In recent years the club has dealt with significant injuries to Dart, receiver Malik Nabers, running back Cam Skattebo, left tackle Andrew Thomas, and, years earlier, running back Saquon Barkley — a pattern of the team’s top players repeatedly unable to stay on the field.
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