Jaxson Dart Injury Update
Jaxson Dart injury update: He cleared concussion protocol after a hard hit in the preseason finale against the Patriots, but didn’t return to the game, mostly out of caution or possibly because the Giants staff had seen enough for the night. Honestly, watching that play, you had to wince he took off on a fourth-and-forever, scrambled 23 yards like he was auditioning for a quarterback episode of American Ninja Warrior, and then got smacked by a linebacker, coughed up the ball, and introduced his helmet to the turf with a little too much enthusiasm for Week 3 of the preseason. Play stopped.
On Twitter, @NFL_DovKleiman posted that Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart was yelling “hurry hurry hurry” while trying to get out of the blue medical tent and return to the game, showing just how tough he is.
The stadium went quiet. I had flashbacks to every time I’ve ever ignored advice to “just slide.” Dart grabbed his head, maybe from the hit, maybe from that fumble—hard to say, harder to blame him. Trainers hustled him into the blue tent, and for a few minutes, every Giants fan was holding their breath and cursing the preseason gods. On Twitter, @PlayoffSports_ shared that Jaxson Dart was seen urging Giants medical staff to hurry through the concussion protocol so he could quickly return to the game.
Here’s the reassuring bit: Dart was checked right away by the medical staff, passed concussion protocol in that blue tent, and was up on the sideline soon after. But he never got put back in—part precaution, maybe part because Coach Daboll had always planned to keep him to just a quarter. (Let’s be real, no QB job is won in August with a newly tender forehead.) So as of this morning, the word out of camp is that Dart’s fine.
“No reason for alarm,” the updates seem to say, though “Giants' fan logic” usually runs somewhere between “mild concern” and “bring back Eli.” Dart’s stats before the hit—81 yards, a 50-yard bomb to Olszewski, a sweet TD to Greg Dulcich—suggest he’s got the arm and swagger if the body holds up.
Not to forget, his full preseason tally: 32 completions in 47 attempts (68.1%), 372 yards, three scores, and no picks; the kind of line you’d print out and tape to your fridge if you’re rooting for the kid. Veteran Jameis Winston filled in, tossed a touchdown, and made everyone remember he can still sling it, too.
Here’s my very “guy on the couch with chips” take: Dart seems to have the personality and physical gifts to make this city fall for him, but someone’s got to hide his hero cape during preseason. If this story is any indication, he’s cleared and ready for what’s next—but maybe next time, just slide, kid.
If you were there or watching, you probably sighed in relief when he jogged back out, but you would also have thrown a shoe at the TV if he’d risked one more shoulder. It’s preseason football—thrilling, terrifying, and unnecessary, sometimes all in the same play.
