The worst fears of the New York Giants have officially materialized. Quarterback Jaxson Dart is undergoing surgery to repair damage to both his meniscus and MCL, according to league sources. This should end his 2026 season after a devastating injury against the Los Angeles Rams. Dart was injured just seven snaps into their Week 2 28–6 defeat at SoFi Stadium. That was when two defenders converged on him during a third-down dropback. It left him clutching his left knee in obvious pain. Further imaging revealed structural damage requiring surgical intervention. Head coach John Harbaugh confirmed Dart will miss the remainder of the regular season.
The setback is a crushing blow for New York. This is especially after Dart opened the season with three total touchdowns in a Week 1 victory over Dallas. With their starting quarterback sidelined, the Giants will turn to 32-year-old veteran Jameis Winston. Meanwhile, Jake Haener has been elevated to the active roster. Winston brings extensive NFL experience and a powerful downfield arm. However, New York will need to adjust its offense without Dart’s mobility.
Selected 25th overall by the Giants in 2025, Dart quickly became the franchise’s long-term quarterback. He took over the starting job in Week 4 of his first season. He finished 2025 with 2,272 passing yards, 15 touchdown passes, and nine rushing scores across 12 starts. Dart entered 2026 as the unquestioned starter. He immediately delivered against Dallas, but his aggressive style ultimately contributed to another difficult injury setback. He leaves the season with 2,522 career passing yards, 18 touchdowns, and 541 rushing yards. Now, the Giants face the difficult task of moving forward without their young centerpiece.