Dart Pushed to Re-Enter After Knee Injury; Giants Held Him Out

The rookie quarterback wanted to keep playing against the Rams, but New York's medical staff refused to clear him following a left knee injury.

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart went down with a left knee injury in Monday night's defeat against the Los Angeles Rams. On a third-down play, defenders Byron Young and Josaiah Stewart brought him down, and his knee appeared to buckle on impact. Jameis Winston stepped in, and the Giants soon announced Dart would not return.

ESPN's Jordan Raanan reported that Dart asked to go back into the game, only for the team's medical staff to deny clearance. Running back Cam Skattebo relayed the same account, telling reporters the doctors "kind of told him no." Broadcast cameras caught Dart appearing to say on the sideline that he was not permitted back in.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo, the quarterback is believed to have a sprained MCL. Coach John Harbaugh described the injury after the game as being "in the neighborhood" of an MCL sprain, and an MRI is scheduled for Tuesday.

The contrast with Caleb Williams was noted by observers. Williams left Chicago's loss to Minnesota without contact and was carted off, sparking fears of a season-ending knee injury before the Bears announced a Grade 1 hamstring strain, which drew widespread criticism and ridicule.

Both passers had rough Week 2 showings. Williams went 15 of 26 for 138 yards and an interception in a 9-3 loss, while Dart completed 3 of 5 passes for 20 yards before exiting in the 28-6 defeat. Williams is listed as week-to-week and has not been ruled out for Monday's meeting with Philadelphia, while Dart's status remains uncertain.