New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) and New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston (19) perform a handshake together during Mandatory Minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Giants Training Center in East Rutherford on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
Mandatory Credit: © Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart returned to the sideline after a left knee injury ended his night early in Monday’s 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Dart suffered the injury on New York’s opening possession after Rams defenders Byron Young and Josaiah Stewart hit him as he released a pass. He later watched the second half from the sideline after the Giants ruled him out.
Jameis Winston replaced Dart and finished the game, giving the veteran quarterback a firsthand look at how the second-year starter handled the setback. SNY Giants posted Winston’s postgame comments on X, formerly Twitter, as he discussed Dart’s demeanor after returning to the sideline.
Jameis Winston says that Jaxson Dart was "lifting the guys up" when he returned to the Giants' sideline: pic.twitter.com/fMSgWgqu8b
— SNY Giants (@SNYGiants) September 22, 2026
Initial examinations pointed to an MCL sprain, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo, while X-rays taken at SoFi Stadium came back negative. Dart was scheduled to undergo an MRI on Tuesday to determine the full severity of the injury.
The injury interrupted Dart’s second start of the season one week after he completed 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns in a Week 1 win over the Dallas Cowboys. The second-year quarterback completed 3 of 5 passes for 20 yards before leaving Monday’s game.
Winston took over and completed 11 of 27 passes for 111 yards with one interception as New York failed to score a touchdown and fell to 1-1. The Giants managed 182 total yards against Los Angeles after losing their starting quarterback on the seventh offensive play.
New York will host the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, but Dart’s availability remains unresolved pending Tuesday’s MRI and further evaluation.