Toronto Star
· collected 2026-09-22 · by Stephen Whyno The Associated Press
New York Giants coach John Harbaugh stated on Tuesday that quarterback Jaxson Dart's knee injury is still being evaluated following his exit from the Monday night game against the Los Angeles Rams. Harbaugh refused to confirm reports suggesting a potentially season-ending diagnosis, emphasizing the need for further testing before making any decisions public. The team’s immediate future hinges on Dart’s recovery status, with Jameis Winston expected to take over in his absence.
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.
Jaxson Dart’s injured left knee is being evaluated and no decisions have been made, New York Giants coach John Harbaugh said Tuesday in the aftermath of the starting quarterback exiting the game at the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night.
asserted
quarterback → injure → night
Harbaugh refused to confirm reports that Dart’s injury is worse than the initial diagnosis of a sprained medial collateral ligament and that the 23-year-old would be out an extended period of time, with season-ending surgery a possibility.
asserted
surgery → refuse → time
“We’ve learned a lot more,” Harbaugh said on a video call with reporters.
asserted
Harbaugh → learn → reporters
“When we know what direction we’re going to have to go or whatever it might be, we’ll announce that.
uncertain
we → know → that
But we don’t have that yet, so I don’t want to get out over our skis on that.”
asserted
I → have → that
After the 28-6 loss, Harbaugh said it was “in the neighborhood” and that an MRI would lead to more information.
asserted
MRI → say → information
He was unwilling to share where the Giants were in the testing and evaluating process on Dart.
asserted
Giants → share → Dart
“It’s an ongoing conversation about the health of a player, of a person,” Harbaugh said.
asserted
Harbaugh → ’ → person
“We’ve got to prepare for the range of possibilities, and then once we know where we’re at, make a plan going forward.
asserted
we → get → plan
And that’s what we’re going to do.”
asserted
we → ’ → what
Dart was 3 of 5 passing before getting injured on the first drive at LA.
asserted
Dart → pass → LA
He threw for three touchdowns, had 230 yards passing and 54 rushing in a season-opening victory against Dallas.
asserted
He → throw → Dallas
The Giants have not had a QB start every game of a season since Eli Manning in 2018.
asserted
QB → have → 2018
That dubious streak looks to continue, with Jameis Winston is expected to step in for however long Dart is out.
asserted
Dart → look → ?
What’s working
The one thing playing in their favor is a soft upcoming schedule.
asserted
thing → work → favor
Tennessee, with former coach Brian Daboll as the Titans’ offensive coordinator, comes to town on Sunday, followed by Arizona.
asserted
Tennessee → come → Arizona
A visit to Washington, which lost franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels to a dislocated left elbow, is next on Oct. 11, followed by a home game against New Orleans and a visit to Houston.
asserted
which → lose → Houston
What needs help
Just about everything.
asserted
needs → need → help
It is difficult to envision New York contending for a playoff spot without Dart.
asserted
York → envision → Dart
“It’s an important position, obviously,” Harbaugh said.
asserted
Harbaugh → ’ → ?
After beating the Cowboys, it looked as if Harbaugh’s first season in charge could exceed expectations.
uncertain
season → beat → expectations
Now it is about teaching and building toward the future.
asserted
it → teach → future
Safety Jevon Holland has intercepted Dak Prescott and Matthew Stafford and forced a fumble by Kyren Williams that he also then recovered.
asserted
he → intercept → that
Holland is looking like the big-money defensive back he was signed to be in March 2025.
asserted
he → look → March
The offensive line that paved the way for 170 yards rushing in Week 1 was overpowered by the Rams.
asserted
that → pave → Rams
It could serve as a lesson for rookie right guard Francis “Sisi” Mauigoa, the 10th pick in the draft who got plugged into the starting lineup right away.
uncertain
who → serve → lineup
In addition to Dart, edge rusher Brian Burns sprained his left ankle and starting left tackle Andrew Thomas limped off with a groin injury.
asserted
Thomas → sprain → injury
No. 1 receiver Malik Nabers said he popped his right shoulder back into place but would be getting further tests.
asserted
he → say → tests
In 26 appearances over that time, he has 21 TDs and 23 interceptions.
asserted
he → have → TDs
Next steps
Winston will get the snaps with the first-team offense, and Harbaugh and general manager Joe Schoen need to decide whether to bring back training camp QB Brandon Allen or promote Jake Haener from the practice squad as the new backup.
asserted
Harbaugh → get → backup
The Giants are 3-point favorites against the Titans even after Dart was injured.
asserted
Dart → injure → Titans
The Aporia
