Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart is one step closer to returning to the New York Giants’ lineup ahead of their Week 12 matchup against the Detroit Lions.
Wednesday marked Dart’s first return to practice since suffering a concussion in a Week 10 road loss against the Chicago Bears. Per the practice report, he was in a non-contact role.
Should Dart pass through concussion protocol, he’ll be the likely starter under center for the Giants when they face the Lions on Sunday at Ford Field.
“If he’s healthy and cleared to go (by medical staff), then I’d like Jackson Dart to play,’’ Giants interim coach Mike Kafka told reporters ahead of practice Wednesday. “It’s only if he’s healthy and ready to go, and that’s based on what the doctor would say.’’
According to the New York Post, Dart was “on the field with his teammates doing running and stretching drills and looked fine.”
Since becoming the Giants’ starting quarterback in Week 4, Dart, 22, has shown flashes of why the franchise selected him with the 25th overall pick of the 2025 NFL draft. His completion percentage is nothing to write home about (62.7), but he’s thrown for 1,417 yards and 10 touchdowns to three interceptions.
Dart has also proven to be solid outside of the pocket, as he’s rushed for 317 yards, averaging 5.6 yards per carry, to go along with seven rushing touchdowns.
The former Ole Miss standout will definitely be a chore for the Kelvin Sheppard-led defense to contain inside the pocket should he take the field. If Dart doesn’t clear protocol, expect Jameis Winston to get his second consecutive start for the Giants.
While the Giants had some good news with Dart’s return, seven other players — a couple of whom are key contributors did not take the field on Wednesday.
LB Kayvon Thibodeaux (shoulder), WR Darius Slayton (hamstring), DB Paulson Adebo (foot), TE Thomas Fidone (foot), LB D. Flannigan-Fowles (illness), DB Cor’Dale Flott (personal), and DB Rico Payton (illness) all did not practice in the first of three sessions before they head to Detroit.
The Lions-Giants will kick off on Sunday at Ford Field at 1 p.m.
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