Giants QB Jaxson Dart Exits with Knee Injury as New York Falls 28-6 to Rams

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart left Monday night's game against the Los Angeles Rams with a left knee injury, and the Giants went on to lose 28-6 in front of 73,773 fans at SoFi Stadium, according to the New York Post.

Dart was hurt on a third-and-8 play with 11:20 left in the first quarter, the seventh snap of New York's opening drive, according to Newsweek. Rams defenders Byron Young and Josaiah Stewart hit him high and low on the same play, and his left knee bent awkwardly as he went down, according to Fox News.

Dart stayed on the ground for several moments before walking off under his own power and heading to the sideline medical tent, according to multiple outlets including Heavy and A to Z Sports. He was later escorted to the locker room, still limping but not on a cart.

What We Know About the Injury

ESPN's Jordan Raanan reported Dart was ruled out for the rest of the game early in the third quarter, according to Heavy. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that initial exams point to a sprained MCL, that X-rays came back negative, and that an MRI is scheduled for Tuesday, September 22.

Giants general manager Joe Schoen offered a brief but positive read during the ESPN broadcast, saying Dart is "going to be OK," according to the New York Post. That comment did not specify a timeline.

Fox News cited Dr. David Chao, a longtime NFL team physician who reviews injuries via television footage for SICScore.com, as saying the mechanism of the hit—Dart's leg wasn't planted on the turf when he was struck—makes a season-ending ACL tear less likely, though an MCL sprain remains a real possibility. Sports Illustrated noted that if it is an MCL sprain, recovery could range from about two weeks for a mild grade 1 sprain to roughly two months for a more severe grade 3 tear.

The Tuesday MRI will determine the severity and next steps.

A Rough Night All Around for the Giants

Dart's injury was not the only bad news. Wide receiver Malik Nabers left briefly with a right shoulder injury after landing hard on an incomplete pass, but he returned to the game, according to the New York Post. Rookie linebacker Arvell Reese also exited with an injury, and his replacement, Zaire Barnes, immediately allowed a touchdown when Matthew Stafford found Davante Adams for a 31-yard score. Left tackle Andrew Thomas and edge rusher Brian Burns also left the game, with Burns unable to put weight on his left ankle, per the Post.

Backup Jameis Winston took over at quarterback for the rest of the night. Winston threw for two touchdowns and two interceptions across limited action in 2025, and started seven games for the Cleveland Browns in 2024, throwing 13 touchdowns against 12 interceptions, according to Sports Illustrated.

The loss drops the Giants to 1-1 after their Week 1 win over the Dallas Cowboys, in which Dart completed 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards, three touchdowns, zero interceptions, and a 134.2 passer rating, according to A to Z Sports. That performance had fueled talk of the Giants as a potential NFC East contender behind coach Brian Daboll and their rookie-year first-round quarterback.

Dart isn't the only high-profile young quarterback dealing with an injury this week. Heavy noted that Chicago's Caleb Williams left his Week 2 loss to Minnesota with a hamstring injury and is week-to-week, while Washington's Jayden Daniels suffered a dislocated elbow against Dallas, the same injury that cost him four games in 2025.

The Giants' only healthy quarterback on the 53-man roster beyond Winston is now a question mark. Jake Haener sits on the practice squad but is ineligible to serve as an emergency third quarterback under current roster rules, according to A to Z Sports. New York may need to elevate or sign a quarterback before Dart's status is resolved. Tuesday's MRI results will determine how long that arrangement needs to last.