Jaxson Dart will likely undergo season-ending knee surgery after suffering a brutal hit against the Los Angeles Rams, leaving the New York Giants without their franchise star
Jaxson Dart is expected to have knee surgery that will end his 2026 season
Jaxson Dart is expected to have knee surgery that will end his 2026 season(Image: Getty Images)
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New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart is expected to have knee surgery that would end his 2026 NFL season after Week 2, a significant blow for the organization.
Dart took a brutal hit to the leg during the first quarter of the Giants' 28-6 defeat to the Los Angeles Rams. After being replaced by Jameis Winston, Dart attempted to return to the field but was blocked by the Giants' medical staff and was downgraded from questionable to out.
Despite early encouragement that Dart might miss only a few weeks, the Giants have received his injury diagnosis. The franchise is set to sanction season-ending surgery, but the extent of the injury is more complex than first thought.
Dart has been exploring his options, but surgery is the most likely solution on the table. Dart suffered damage to his MCL, PCL, and meniscus, with the meniscus being the main issue.
However, Dart critically avoided damage to his ACL, which remains intact. As Dart is a future star and 23 years old, the Giants are thinking long-term, as although shutting him down for the season is a blow, surgery will allow for a full recovery.
The Giants made a strong start to the 2026 NFL season, beating the Dallas Cowboys 28-20 in Week 1. It was the perfect start for new head coach John Harbaugh, who brought tight end Isaiah Likely with him from the Baltimore Ravens.
Dart left Monday Night Football in the first quarter
Dart left Monday Night Football in the first quarter(Image: Getty Images)
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Dart completed 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns, and was hoping to continue that momentum against the Rams. In Week 2 against Los Angeles, Dart had completed just 3 of 5 passes for 20 yards when suffering his injury in the first quarter.
The quarterback was seen clutching his knee during the Giants' first offensive drive, and trainers rushed onto the field to evaluate him. Fans feared the worst as ESPN then immediately cut to a commercial break and didn't instantly show a replay.
The Giants faced a third-and-eight against the Rams, and Dart was sandwiched between linebacker Byron Young and fellow pass rusher Josaiah Stewart. Young slammed Dart's midsection and sent him crashing into Stewart, causing his left leg to bend.
Byron Young and Josaiah Stewart of the Los Angeles Rams sandwich Dart
Byron Young and Josaiah Stewart of the Los Angeles Rams sandwich Dart(Image: Getty)
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Winston replaced Dart for the remainder of the game, but the veteran failed to inspire anything on offense. Winston finished the game with 11 of 27 completed passes for 111 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions against the Rams.
The Giants' roster was devastated when Dart went down and exited the game, with the young quarterback working hard under Harbaugh ahead of a key season. Dart missed time last year due to injury but will be ready to start in 2027.
Dart's injury is the latest in a long line of issues faced by Giants players. Cam Skattebo and Malik Nabers missed most of last year, following on from major injuries to former players Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley.
Eli Manning was the last starting quarterback for the Giants to complete all regular-season games, back in 2018. Harbaugh and the Giants will now have to trust that Winston can step up.