The New York Giants began their NFL preseason journey against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Jaxson Dart, who is a second-year quarterback, stepped on the field with several first-team players for the matchup against the Vikings.
Jaxson Dart Gets Checked for Concussion Against Vikings
While most teams protect their quarterbacks and key players from playing in preseason games to avoid injuries, John Harbaugh decided to test his guys.
While Dart did display electric performance, he also took a few hits that could’ve cost the team a lot, including the one that sent him to the medical tent.
Dart ended up getting evaluated for a concussion after the hit, which no fan wants to hear about for their quarterback in the first preseason game.
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The NFL world on social media was concerned about the quarterback given his concussion history from last season.
“Jaxson Dart made FIVE trips to the blue medical tent in a 10 game span last year FIVE!! one game into 2026 one trip to the blue medical tent simply not sustainable,” NFL analyst Warren Sharp said on X.
Jaxson Dart made FIVE trips to the blue medical tent in a 10 game span last year
FIVE!!
one game into 2026
one trip to the blue medical tentsimply not sustainable https://t.co/dHoeRRqgv3
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) August 15, 2026
The Athletic’s Ian O’Connor also sounded the alarm and said, “Man, you do not want to see your franchise QB getting blasted like Jaxson Dart just got blasted on August 15th. Already Dart is in the tent.”
Man, you do not want to see your franchise QB getting blasted like Jaxson Dart just got blasted on August 15th. Already Dart is in the tent. Jameis Winston in for the Giants. https://t.co/VWEsPHXXms
— Ian O’Connor (@Ian_OConnor) August 15, 2026
Art Stapleton wrote, “So Jaxson Dart’s rookie season on repeat: unnecessary hit (not his fault), trip to medical tent, comeback and great improve to find Malachi Fields for the touchdown. 7-3 Giants. Dart was evaluated for a concussion – which was kind of absurd, to be honest – and he was cleared.”
Ian Cameron added, “Oh Boy…already in the concussion tent for Jaxson Dart although he did return to throw a TD pass. Tough call for John Harbaugh wanting to see Dart play some but also having to consider the past issues with head injuries that he has had.”
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Dart’s troubles began in the first quarter as his running back, Tyrone Tracy Jr., ended up whiffing on the block, resulting in a brutal hit to the Giants star’s midsection.
Former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel placed the full blame on Tracy and said, “Nothing like a FS pressure that Tyrone Tracy doesn’t see & gets your franchise QB killed in the preseason. Nowhere to slide on that one…”
Nothing like a FS pressure that Tyrone Tracy doesn’t see & gets your franchise QB killed in the preseason
Nowhere to slide on that one… pic.twitter.com/zCjbKyDN25
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) August 15, 2026
Former NFL scout John Middlekauff echoed that sentiment, saying, “RB got him killed.”
Dart was able to return to the game and also threw a touchdown pass to rookie wideout Malachi Fields. That in itself drew reactions.
The level of difficulty here from Dart 🔥
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/nArkhO2qmh
— NFL (@NFL) August 15, 2026
Giants reporter Pat Leonard reacted to it and said, “And the full Jaxson Dart experience is complete. Dart comes back into the game, scrambles outside and floats a jump ball TD to rookie Malachi Fields.”
The Giants quarterback was a victim of many injuries in his rookie year as well; however, even with those injury concerns, Dart finished the 2025 season with 2,272 passing yards and 15 touchdowns against just 5 interceptions, while also adding 487 yards and 9 touchdowns on the ground to finish at number 23 on PFN’s QB Impact Metric.
If the Giants really want a shot at success in the 2026 NFL season, Harbaugh and the team must find a way to keep Dart healthy throughout the year.
