The New York Giants may be getting their franchise quarterback back in the fold this week.
Interim head coach Mike Kafka told the media today that while rookie Jaxson Dart is still in concussion protocol, he’ll be a full participant in practice for the first time since his head injury.
ESPN’s Jordan Raanan said it’s likely he and Jameis Winston will split first-team reps throughout the week.
Dart has missed New York’s last two games after suffering a concussion in the team’s Week 10 loss to the Chicago Bears.
Winston filled in admirably against the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions, but the excitement surrounding Dart is palpable, and Giants fans want to see their guy back on the field.
Should the Giants Be More Cautious With Jaxson Dart?
Some have wondered if the New York Giants should even be rushing to play Dart again this season.
At 2-10, the Giants were the first team to be officially eliminated from playoff contention, so why bother running your potential franchise quarterback out there to get hurt again?
Rich Eisen was asked on The Rich Eisen Show after Dart’s initial injury if he should take another snap this season for New York.
“No, because I’ve seen enough. And I’ve also seen that he needs to tone it down with his run style. One way to do that is to keep him safe,” Eisen said to his co-hosts.
“And by the way, while we’re on the subject matter…for my young Giants who clearly only know one speed, that on occasion can be dangerous to their health, I’m going to sit them down.”
Eisen’s take certainly has the best interests in mind for Dart, but the fact of the matter is, if the Ole Miss standout is healthy, he’s going to play.
It’s just how football players are wired. Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow said it best on Tuesday.
“I’m a football player. If I get hurt, I’m gonna go through the rehab process and then I’m gonna let everybody know when I feel like I can go out there and play,” Burrow told the media ahead of his long-awaited return against the Baltimore Ravens.
“I’m not gonna ever go to somebody and say, ‘I’m healthy, but I don’t think I should go out there and play.’”
Jaxson Dart’s Tantalizing Rookie Year
The abundance of caution for Dart’s health comes from all the right places.
His health and safety should be the New York Giants’ No. 1 priority, as they may have a franchise quarterback on their hands.
Throughout Dart’s rookie season, he’s appeared in nine games and racked up some gaudy numbers.
He’s completed 62.7% of his passes for 1,417 yards, 10 touchdowns, and three interceptions.
Dart is just as big a threat on the ground as well, carrying the ball 57 times for 317 yards and seven touchdowns.
That’s 17 total touchdowns from the rookie in only seven starts, which is just absurd from a first-year player.
Dart will have the opportunity to finish the 2025 season strong and hopefully, healthy.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Mike Kafka Provides Exciting Jaxson Dart Update for Giants appeared first on Heavy Sports.