Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart has thrown for 10 touchdowns and run for seven more in his first nine NFL games.
Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart has thrown for 10 touchdowns and run for seven more in his first nine NFL games.Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press
Jaxson Dart has cleared concussion protocol, paving the way for the rookie quarterback to start for the Giants at New England on Monday night after missing the past two games.
Dart was concussed Nov. 9 at Chicago and did not finish that loss to the Bears. He was a full participant in practice Wednesday, which was the final step for him getting cleared Thursday.
The 22-year-old first-round draft pick out of Mississippi has thrown for 10 touchdowns and run for seven more with just three interceptions in his first seven NFL starts.
Journeyman Jameis Winston started in Dart’s place the past two weeks. The Giants are 2-10 and have been eliminated from playoff contention.
Dart will face a Patriots defense that has allowed 18.8 points per game this season, which is tied with the Packers for 5th in the NFL. The Patriots have won nine in a row, with their last loss coming in Week 3 against the Steelers.
Dart will be the third rookie quarterback to face the Patriots this season. Titans rookie Cam Ward threw for 255 yards with a touchdown and an interception in a Week 7 loss to the Patriots. Browns rookie Dillon Gabriel threw for 156 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in a Week 8 loss to the Patriots.