The NFL and NFLPA launched a joint review into how the New York Giants handled concussion protocol with quarterback Jaxson Dart during Thursday night’s 34-17 victory over Philadelphia Eagles. The investigation comes after Dart took a late third-quarter hit, sat out one series, then returned to finish the game.
NFL Investigates New York Giants' Handling of Jaxson Dart Concussion Protocol
NFL Investigates New York Giants’ Handling of Jaxson Dart Concussion Protocol (Screenshot Via X/@TheDegenDoc)
Player safety is the league’s favorite buzzword until they actually have to enforce it. The timing of this review and what fans noticed about head coach Brian Daboll has everyone questioning who really protects these players.
NFL Investigates New York Giants’ Handling of Jaxson Dart Concussion Protocol
Dart put together a solid performance against the Eagles’ tough defense before the incident. The rookie completed 17 of 25 passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns through nearly three quarters. Then came the hit late in the third that changed everything.
The impact didn’t look catastrophic on camera. No obvious head-to-turf contact. No helmet-to-helmet collision.
But something triggered the protocol. Dart missed one offensive series while medical staff evaluated him on the sideline. Then he jogged back onto the field and finished the game.
The league and players union don’t buy it. Both organizationsopened a formal review to determine if New York followed proper concussion procedures.
NFL said it initiated a review of the application of the concussion protocol involving New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart during last night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles. That review will be conducted jointly with the NFLPA under the parties’ collective bargaining…
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 10, 2025
These investigations usually happen when video shows potential protocol violations or when independent doctors raise red flags about medical decisions.
Dart’s situation drew extra attention because cameras captured Dabollinteracting with medical staff while Dart was being evaluated.
Brian Daboll literally just did this entering the blue tent like a Civil War general checking in on a wounded Lieutenant pic.twitter.com/Ux5v1LlvWW https://t.co/W1IMRRoH8P
— Gus (@WashedUpTweeter) October 10, 2025
The optics were troubling, making it appear as if the head coach might be pressuring doctors to clear his quarterback more quickly.
He made a point of personally apologizing to the team physician, stressing that he only wanted to know if Dart would be “good” to return.
Brian Daboll talks about going into the medical tent when Jaxson Dart was being evaluated with a concussion:
“I apologized directly to our team physician. I just wanted his ass out there if he was okay… I’m like ‘is he gonna be good or not I’m gonna call a timeout on 4th down… pic.twitter.com/qP2V8w3etQ
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) October 10, 2025
Daboll admitted he was prepared to make a high-stakes decision, even calling a timeout on fourth down, ready to go for it if the player was cleared.
The Giants won 34-17, handing Philadelphia its second straight loss. But the victory raised questions among fans and critics about whether winning mattered more than player health at that moment.
Fans Rip Apart NFL’s Reactive Approach to Player Safety
Fans didn’t wait for the results of the investigation to share their thoughts. The reactions came fast and furious, with most pointing fingers at everyone involved.
One fanwrote, “Are we serious? Not even a clear injury mechanism for a concussion. No direct blow to the head & no head bouncing off the turf. Dart sat out an entire series before returning. Review this but let the Tush Push continue. NFL ‘player safety’ is a joke.”
Anotheradded, “A head coach should never be yelling at a doctor in an effort to pressure, intimidate, or rush a decision on a player’s health. The NFL should come down hard on Brian Daboll.”
Some fans defended Dart’s performance before the injury. A third observernoted, “17/25 for 195 yards and 2 TDs against a tough Eagles D before protocol hit. Dart was cookin until the late Q3 hit. NFL’s right to review. Player safety comes first, but kid was dealing last night.”
But the harshest criticism focused on league hypocrisy. A fourth fanpointed out, “It so funny how the NFL only reviews concussion protocol after public backlash. Player safety shouldn’t be reactive.”
A fifthsummed it up, “They look into this but the tush push officiating continues to be ignored is peak NFL.”
The investigation will take days or weeks to complete. Until then, Dart prepares for the next game while fans wonder if the league actually cares about protecting players or just managing PR disasters after they happen.