Giants QB Jaxson Dart to have knee surgery, will miss rest of 2026 season
The short version
- Jaxson Dart is expected to undergo season-ending knee surgery on his MCL, PCL and meniscus.
- A full recovery from the procedure is expected, per NFL Network reports.
- Dart was hurt on the opening drive of the Giants' 28-6 loss to the Rams on Monday night.
- Jameis Winston replaced Dart and threw an end-zone interception in the defeat.
- Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels also went down with quarterback injuries in Week 2.
The second-year quarterback tore ligaments and damaged his meniscus in Monday night's loss to the Rams and faces season-ending knee surgery, per reports.
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart will require an operation on his left knee that will sideline him for the remainder of the 2026 campaign, multiple outlets reported Wednesday. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo, the procedure is expected to bring a complete recovery. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the injury involves the MCL, PCL and meniscus, with the meniscus being the biggest concern.
Dart, 23, was injured during the first possession of Monday night's 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. He absorbed a heavy hit from Byron Young and Josaiah Stewart on New York's seventh offensive snap. Earlier in the week, initial reporting indicated an MCL sprain with no fractures, and an MRI was scheduled for Tuesday.
Head coach John Harbaugh had struck an optimistic tone after the game, saying he believed a devastating result had been avoided and that he did not anticipate a long absence, though he offered no specific timeline. Instead, Dart watched the second half from the sideline in street clothes while Jameis Winston took over at quarterback and struggled, tossing an interception in the end zone as the Giants scored only via field goals.
Dart's injury was part of a rough Week 2 for NFL quarterbacks. Chicago's Caleb Williams is considered week-to-week with a hamstring issue suffered against Minnesota, and Washington's Jayden Daniels dislocated his left elbow versus Dallas with no timetable for his return.
