Jaxson Dart, quarterback for the New York Giants, faces the possibility of missing the rest of the season due to a knee injury suffered during Monday night’s game against the Los Angeles Rams. Medical evaluations are ongoing, and surgery might be necessary if Dart has a detached MCL ligament, which could require four to five months of recovery. Coach John Harbaugh stated that while they have learned more about the injury, final decisions remain pending further evaluation and consultation with medical experts. The Giants plan to promote Jake Haener from the practice squad as a backup quarterback, with Jameis Winston stepping in as the starter for now.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-22,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Jaxson Dart, the 23-year-old quarterback for the New York Giants, is expected to undergo season-ending knee surgery after suffering severe damage to his left knee during a game against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night. The injury includes damage to his MCL, PCL, and meniscus, though his ACL seems fine. This comes as a significant blow to the team's prospects for the rest of the season.
Dart was injured in the first quarter when he was sandwiched between multiple defenders, causing a collision with his left knee. He had only recently become the starter after an injury to Russell Wilson earlier this year. In 14 games and 12 starts during his rookie season, Dart completed 63.7% of his passes for 2,272 yards with 15 touchdowns and five interceptions.
With Dart out indefinitely, Jameis Winston, a 12-year veteran who struggled in relief against the Rams on Monday night, is set to take over as the starting quarterback. The Giants now face an uphill battle, as they were originally projected to win around 8 games for the season but are now being offered betting odds of only 5.5 wins by sportsbooks.
The timing of Dart's injury has also reignited discussions about a so-called "Trump Curse," after the quarterback was praised by then-President Donald Trump at a Republican rally in May for having legs like tree trunks, shortly before his injury occurred. This curse theory suggests that players or teams receiving presidential attention often face significant setbacks soon afterward.
Written for “Jaxson Dart Injury Giants” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 26 other(s) covering the same event.
The possibility Jaxson Dart may miss the rest of the New York Giants season has not been ruled out, a source confirmed to Outkick on Tuesday, as medical evaluations continue on the New York Giants quarterback's left knee.
uncertain
evaluations → miss → knee
Dart, his doctors and the team will determine next steps for addressing the knee injury he suffered Monday night, early in the game, against the Los Angeles Rams.
asserted
he → determine → Rams
The source declined to say why Dart could miss the season.
uncertain
Dart → decline → season
That outcome, however, would become likely if Dart requires surgery for a detached MCL ligament — a procedure that could carry a recovery timeline of four to five months.
uncertain
that → become → months
New York Giants coach John Harbaugh was not ready to go that far on Tuesday during his day-after press conference.
asserted
Harbaugh → go → conference
"I'm not sure exactly what news or anything's been stated, but right now, evaluations are ongoing," Harbaugh said.
asserted
Harbaugh → state → ?
"We haven't got any final decisions yet.
asserted
We → get → decisions
We've learned a lot more.
asserted
We → learn → lot
"I wouldn't really want to share too much until decisions get made.
asserted
decisions → want → much
That takes more than one person, takes everybody involved.
asserted
That → take → everybody
So when we know, you know, what direction we're gonna have to go or whatever it might be.
uncertain
it → know → direction
Harbaugh will meet with Dart (again) after he gets a second opinion on the MRI test he underwent on Tuesday.
asserted
he → meet → Tuesday
Then a decision on what to do next will be made in conjunction with the medical experts and Dart.
asserted
decision → make → experts
"So, I don't want to get out over our skis on that," Harbaugh said.
asserted
Harbaugh → want → that
OutKick first reported on Monday night that Dart had suffered a sprained MCL and would miss time.
asserted
Dart → report → time
Asked after the game about his quarterback and reports of an MCL sprain, Harbaugh said the reports were in the correct "neighborhood."
asserted
reports → ask → neighborhood
That was after ESPN reported general manager Joe Schoen told sideline reporter Laura Ruthledge that Dart "will be OK."
asserted
Dart → report → Ruthledge
But it might take a long while.
uncertain
it → take → while
What is certain is that Dart isn't playing anytime soon and definitely not Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.
asserted
Dart → play → Titans
Jameis Winston becomes the Giants' new starting quarterback for the time being.
asserted
Winston → become → time
The club will also likely promote Jake Haener from the practice squad to serve as a backup, and they may even add Brandon Allen.
uncertain
they → promote → Allen
This is obviously terrible for the Giants and seemingly derails their season, even after only two games.
asserted
This → derail → games
It's as if this team is cursed.
asserted
team → curse → ?
Consider that in recent years the club has dealt with significant, if not season-ending, injuries to Dart, receiver Malik Nabers, running back Cam Skattebo, left tackle Andrew Thomas, and even running back Saquon Barkley years ago.
asserted
club → consider → Dart
This is not a spotlight shining on injuries because the Giants play in New York.
asserted
Giants → shin → York
This is a team's best players not being able to contribute season after season.
asserted
players → contribute → season
The Aporia
