New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart will undergo knee surgery that will end his 2026 season after suffering damage to his MCL, PCL and meniscus in Monday night’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported that the surgery is expected to lead to a full recovery. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the damage to Dart’s left knee included his MCL, PCL and meniscus, with the meniscus considered the main issue.
Giants coach John Harbaugh said on Wednesday that the quarterback could return if the team make the playoffs.
“I think I said it. I said it. Regular season,” Harbaugh said when asked about how long the player would be on the sidelines. “Other than that, how do you know? It depends on the recovery. You can’t pinpoint it.”
The second-year quarterback was hurt on the opening possession of the Giants’ 28-6 defeat to the Rams.
“I think he’s determined. He’s bummed. It’s hard,” Harbaugh said. “The season is not over, but it is for him. We kind of talked about that [in the team meeting], too. That was part of it. That was part of the deal. With injuries, there is a certain mourning that takes place. Had the same thing for Calvin [Austin]. Same thing over the years because you realize how hard it is for a player really. But it’s tough on the team. It’s tough on all of us.”
The 23-year-old started the season strong in New York’s Week 1 win over Dallas but left the field after taking a huge hit from Byron Young and Josaiah Stewart on the Giants’ seventh play Monday night. Dart watched the second half in a tracksuit on the sidelines. Jameis Winston could not get much going after Dart’s exit, throwing an end-zone interception as New York got all of their points from field goals. Jake Haener is the only other quarterback currently on the Giants roster and will be Winston’s backup on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.
Dart was one of several quarterbacks injured around the league in Week 2. Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears is week-to-week and will miss some time with a hamstring injury suffered against the Vikings, while the Washington Commanders’ Jayden Daniels dislocated his left elbow in a defeat to the Cowboys and has no timeline for return.
