NFL: New York Giants at Miami Dolphins
Aug 22, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) warms up prior to a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
The New York Giants will reportedly be without quarterback Jaxson Dart for the rest of the 2026 season.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo, Dart is set to undergo surgery to repair his knee injury and will miss the remainder of the 2026 season.
“Giants QB Jaxson Dart is expected to have knee surgery that will lead to a full recovery but end his 2026 season, sources told me and (Mike Garafolo),” Rapoport said before noting Dart’s ACL is intact.
The problem, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, is that Dart “suffered damage to his MCL, PCL and meniscus,” and the “meniscus is the main issue.”
MORE: Updated NFC East odds after Jaxson Dart, Jayden Daniels injuries
While there’s a shred of good news that Dart didn’t tear his ACL, the fact that he will miss the rest of the season is still a worst-case scenario for New York, as this completely derails its campaign.
A roller coaster of emotions
NFL: New York Giants at Los Angeles Rams
Sep 21, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) warms up before a game agaimst the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
It has been quite the roller coaster ride since Dart suffered his knee injury in the first quarter of the Week 2 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
The worst was feared initially when Dart got sandwiched in between two defenders and was sent to the turf clutching his knee.
But there was optimism after Dart was able to walk under his own power, and ESPN’s Laura Rutledge reported that general manager Joe Schoen said Dart was going to be OK before he eventually emerged from the locker room and finished out the game on the sideline.
MORE: Can Giants make NFL playoffs with Jameis Winston at QB?
Even head coach John Harbaugh believed Dart had avoided a significant injury after the game, but that clearly turned out not to be the case after the Giants quarterback got his MRI results back.
We got our first hint that Dart might have a season-ending injury on Monday, when it was reported the test results offered up a worse-than-expected result.
Now, the Giants are staring down the barrel of a lost season without their QB1.
Giants’ 2026 season is over
NFL: New York Giants at Miami Dolphins
New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston (19) leaves the field at the end of a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
It was believed that the Giants might have a chance to still be at least somewhat competitive with Jameis Winston under center. After all, Winston has been a fairly solid backup during his career.
However, Winston was putrid on Monday night, as he completed just 11-of-27 passes for 111 yards and one interception, which was a stark reminder of just how much trouble the Giants are in.
Maybe Winston plays better moving forward, but any hope that the Giants could make some noise in 2026 is now gone.