There is little doubt that Jaxson Dart's left knee injury has emerged as a major season-altering blow for the New York Giants. Dart suffered the injury on the opening drive of the Giants' 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams and is now facing the possibility of season-ending surgery.
Coach John Harbaugh confirmed that evaluations remain ongoing and that multiple parties are involved in deciding the next course of action. Meanwhile, ESPN's Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler shed further light on potential replacements from outside the organization, with both pointing out that obstacles remain to a potential pursuit of a new QB.
“Jimmy Garoppolo is a free agent,” Graziano said. “Maybe they could talk the Steelers out of Mason Rudolph for a draft pick. At some point this season, maybe guys such as Jacoby Brissett(Arizona) or Kirk Cousins (Las Vegas) get replaced by younger QBs and become available in trade.”
However, the ESPN analyst also claimed that it was too early to comment, and that the Giants’ best option may as well remain Jameis Winston, who struggled against the Rams.
“Garoppolo appears to be in that half retirement phase,” Fowler said. “It might be worth a call to Minnesota, where J.J. McCarthy toils on the bench.”
In the Giants' Week 1 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, Dart became the first quarterback in NFL history to begin a season with at least three passing touchdowns, 50 rushing yards, and a passer rating of 130. Against the Rams, however, his night ended after only seven offensive plays. He completed three of five passes for 20 yards before taking a hit from Rams defenders Byron Young and Josaiah Stewart.
Meanwhile, Winston completed 11 of 27 passes for 111 yards, threw an interception, and was sacked twice. The Giants managed just six points, all from field goals, while the Rams' defense recorded eight quarterback hits and 10 passes defended.