Jaxson Dart reportedly wanted to show just how much of a gamer he really is after going down with a knee injury in the first quarter of the New York Giants’ loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Monday.
The quarterback tried to reenter the game in the first half in spite of the knee issue but the team wouldn’t let him, ESPN reported. A separate ESPN report added that the Giants went as far as taking Dart’s jersey from him to prevent any inkling that he would be able to play.
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New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart walks off the field with an injury during the first half of an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams in Inglewood, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)
Dart returned to the sideline in street clothes and a shiny chain around his neck.
Dart left the matchup seven snaps into the second game of the 2026 season when he was hit twice by Rams defenders on a throw to Theo Johnson. The second-year quarterback’s knee bent awkwardly and he was writhing in pain as trainers came out to look at him. He gingerly walked off the field and into the locker room under his own power.
The Giants would not confirm reports that Dart sprained his MCL.
“That’s in the neighborhood of it, I would say,” Giants coach John Harbaugh said. “We’ll get an MRI (on Tuesday) and have a real good feel for it, and give you more information from there.”
Taking the reports for what they’re worth, Dart showed more heart than what was shown on the field after he left the game. The team looked deflated from the second he went down grabbing his knee.
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart shakes hands with Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford after an NFL game in Inglewood, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)
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Jameis Winston did little to inspire that he could handle the reins in Dart’s absence. The defense, while making some plays and forcing turnovers on the Rams, allowed Matthew Stafford to throw four touchdown passes – two to Davante Adams, who had eight catches for 195 yards.
“Any time your quarterback goes down, obviously that’s a gut punch to the team, right?” Winston said.
Harbaugh said the task at hand right now is to not “lament” the injuries as Malik Nabers and Brian Burns were among those banged up during the game.
The schedule may look cookie-cutter on paper – but it’s far from it based on the effort shown against the Rams. If Dart does miss at least four weeks, he will be out against the Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, Washington Commanders and New Orleans Saints.
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart walks off the field with an injury during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams in Inglewood, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)
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All of those games are winnable but the team will really have to dig deep to pull itself out of a mental hole.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.