The New York Giants got some bad news at interim head coach Mike Kafka’s Friday press conference.
Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, who is still in concussion protocol following some touch blows he took against the Chicago Bears, will be ruled out for his second consecutive game, per The Athletic’s Dan Duggan.
He missed last week’s matchup against the Green Bay Packers, and backup quarterback Jameis Winston is in line to get his second straight start.
The news is a bit shocking, considering Dart was expected to clear protocol in time to get the start.
He had been taking non-contact practice reps all week in a limited capacity.
Now, Winston will be under center when New York travels to Detroit to take on the Lions.
Most Thought Dart Would Be Ready to Go
As previously mentioned, Dart was widely expected to be ready to play on Sunday.
New York Giants reporters had predicted he would be cleared, considering his limited participation in practice all week.
But it seems like, out of an abundance of caution, New York will hold off on Dart’s return just one more week and allow the rookie to rest up.
There’s certainly been an emphasis on protecting the Ole Miss product as his rookie season has progressed, given the number of times he’s been hit in his starts.
So far this year, Dart has executed 25 plays considered designed runs, the second most of any quarterback in the NFL.
He’s also been hit 84 times combined between rushing and passing attempts.
Dart has only been starting since Week 4; it’s a fairly absurd stat.
It’s part of the reason Brian Daboll was fired, sure, the plays were working, but it didn’t have the rookie quarterback’s best interests in mind.
When Dart returns, it’s safe to say Kafka is going to do a better job of protecting the goods in New York.
The Giants likely have a franchise quarterback on their hands, and keeping him upright and healthy is pivotal for their long-term outlook.
In nine appearances and seven starts in 2025, Dart completed 62.7% of his passes for 1417 yards, tossing 10 touchdowns and three interceptions.
His legs have been effective as well, carrying the ball 57 times for 317 yards, scoring seven touchdowns.
Jameis Winston in Line for Second Straight Start
Winston was elevated from third-string quarterback to backup after Daboll’s firing, supplanting offseason acquisition Russell Wilson.
The former Heisman trophy winner played admirably in the New York Giants’ most recent loss to the Green Bay Packers, completing 19 of 29 pass attempts for 201 yards.
Winston had one interception late in the game and threw no touchdowns.
But his ability to throw the ball is unmatched outside of Dart in New York’s quarterback room, and he certainly puts more stress on a defense than Wilson did in his short stint as the Giants starter.
Winston, in the first year of a two-year contract, will be with the Giants in 2026. New York’s brass sees him as the perfect veteran mentor to the 22-year-old Dart.
He’ll have another chance to prove he’s still a high-upside backup against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
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