For the New York Giants, the 2025 season has felt like a cruel cycle of hope and frustration. Every time rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart shows a flash of brilliance, another setback follows, from key injuries to starters like Cam Skattebo and Malik Nabers to a mid-season coaching change.
Now, with Dart in concussion protocol, the franchise is once again holding its breath. As a crucial road game against the Detroit Lions approaches, the biggest question in New York is whether its promising young quarterback will even be on the field.
What Does Jaxson Dart’s Latest Injury Mean for the Giants?
Dart went down with a concussion in Week 10 against the Chicago Bears after hitting the ground hard on a rush attempt. He left the game and was replaced by Russell Wilson in what turned out to be former head coach Brian Daboll’s final game.
This latest scare is part of a concerning trend. It was the fourth time Dart had been examined for a concussion this season, making his health a top priority for the second half of his rookie campaign. Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano provided an update on the first-round passer.
“Giants rookie QB Jaxson Dart remains in the concussion protocol, according to interim head coach Mike Kafka,” Vacchiano wrote. “The Giants are optimistic he’ll be able to return this week and play on Sunday in Detroit, according to a source.”
These injury scares have, unfortunately, become a recurring theme for Dart. The issue previously came to a head in Week 6, when Daboll was fined for entering the medical tent during one of Dart’s examinations. A major point of contention was how often the rookie was running wild late in games, putting himself at risk in a season that was already going nowhere fast.
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Even with all the chaos, Dart has managed to find success when he has been on the field. He currently ranks 13th in PFSN’s Quarterback Impact metric and has been a bright spot for New York, throwing for 1,417 yards, 10 touchdowns, and three interceptions in nine games.
If Dart is unable to play, veteran backup Jameis Winston would likely get the start. Winston nearly led an upset against the Green Bay Packers in Week 11 and appears to offer more upside than Wilson, who had previously filled in for the rookie.
While it isn’t immediately clear whether Dart will suit up in Detroit, there is reason for optimism. With multiple practices to clear the league’s protocol and public encouragement from Kafka, the expectation is that he will return. He would be thrown right back into the fire against a Lions defense that just held the Philadelphia Eagles to 16 points.
Whenever he does return, expect the Giants to be cautious with their young quarterback. The team will likely limit his designed runs and unnecessary open-field hits to protect its most important asset for the future.