New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart will miss the rest of the 2026 regular season after tests revealed that the knee injury he suffered against the Los Angeles Rams was substantially worse than the MCL sprain initially suspected.
Dart has damage to the MCL, PCL and meniscus in his left knee. His ACL is intact, but the damage to his MCL and meniscus requires surgery. Giants coach John Harbaugh confirmed that Dart will not play again during the regular season, although he stopped short of completely ruling out a return if New York reaches the playoffs.
Jameis Winston will take over as the Giants’ starting quarterback.
What Is Jaxson Dart’s Knee Injury?
Dart suffered damage to multiple structures in his left knee: the medial collateral ligament (MCL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and meniscus.
The initial diagnosis after the game was a possible MCL sprain. Subsequent testing revealed a more complicated injury. NFL Network reported that Dart’s ACL remains intact, but ESPN reported damage to his MCL, PCL and meniscus, with the meniscus described as the primary concern. [NFL]
Sources told ESPN that Dart will undergo surgery to repair the torn meniscus and MCL. The PCL was also damaged, although reports have specifically identified the MCL and meniscus as the structures requiring surgical repair. [ESPN]
Did Jaxson Dart Tear His ACL?
No. One of the few pieces of positive news from Dart’s medical testing is that his ACL is intact.
That is significant because an ACL reconstruction would generally create an even longer rehabilitation process. Sources told ESPN that the expected recovery from Dart’s planned surgery is approximately six months, compared with at least nine months had he also torn his ACL. [ESPN]
The original optimism after the injury was therefore partly justified — Dart avoided an ACL tear — but the MRI and follow-up evaluations revealed enough additional damage elsewhere in the knee to end his regular season.
Does Jaxson Dart Need Surgery?
Yes.
After Dart underwent further testing and sought additional medical opinions, the decision was made for him to have surgery on the injured knee.
The procedure will repair damage to his MCL and meniscus. The Giants expect Dart to make a full recovery and be ready for the 2027 season. [NFL] [ESPN]
Is Jaxson Dart Out For The Season?
Dart is officially out for the remainder of the 2026 regular season.
Harbaugh confirmed the decision following Giants practice on September 23.
“Regular season. Other than that, how do you know? There’s no way to know. It just depends on the recovery. You can’t pinpoint it exactly.”
That wording was deliberate. Harbaugh confirmed that Dart will not return during the regular season but declined to completely close the door on a postseason return if the Giants qualify. [Giants]
Could Jaxson Dart Return For The Playoffs?
The Giants have not officially ruled it out, but there is no guarantee Dart will be medically ready even if New York reaches the postseason.
When Harbaugh was specifically asked whether his reference to the “regular season” meant Dart could potentially return in the playoffs, the coach said the answer would depend entirely on how Dart’s rehabilitation progresses. [Giants]
There is also an important difference between Harbaugh leaving open a possibility and Dart having an established playoff return timetable. Sources familiar with Dart’s planned surgery told ESPN that his recovery is expected to take approximately six months. [ESPN]
For now, the only firm timetable announced by the Giants is that Dart will miss the remainder of the regular season. The organization expects him to make a full recovery for 2027.
How Did Jaxson Dart Get Hurt?
Dart was injured on the Giants’ opening possession of their 28-6 loss to the Rams on Monday, September 21.
On New York’s seventh offensive snap, Dart attempted a pass on third down while Rams defenders Byron Young and Josaiah Stewart converged on him. Young hit Dart from one side while Stewart came underneath him, causing Dart’s left knee to bend awkwardly during the collision.
Dart immediately grabbed his knee after landing and remained on the field while trainers examined him. He eventually got to his feet and limped to the sideline before going into the medical tent and then the locker room. [Giants]
He was initially listed as questionable to return but was later ruled out.
Why Did The Original Jaxson Dart Injury Diagnosis Change?
The first reports after the Rams game were considerably more optimistic.
X-rays were negative, and initial examinations indicated Dart may have suffered an MCL sprain. Harbaugh said after the game that the suspected diagnosis was in the “neighborhood” of an MCL injury and expressed relief that the quarterback appeared to have avoided a catastrophic knee injury. [Reuters]
But an X-ray cannot provide the same information about ligaments, cartilage and other soft tissue that an MRI and additional examinations can.
After Dart underwent further evaluation, doctors discovered damage beyond the initially suspected MCL sprain. The meniscus injury in particular changed the treatment plan and led to the decision to operate. [NFL]
What Is The MCL?
The medial collateral ligament runs along the inside of the knee and helps prevent the joint from bending too far inward.
An isolated MCL sprain often does not require surgery. That was one reason the initial reports about Dart were relatively encouraging.
Dart’s situation is different because his injury is not limited to the MCL. The additional meniscus and PCL damage makes his injury more complex than the straightforward MCL sprain initially reported.
What Is The PCL?
The posterior cruciate ligament is one of the major ligaments inside the knee. Along with the ACL, it helps control movement of the tibia in relation to the femur and contributes to knee stability.
ESPN reported that Dart sustained PCL damage in addition to his MCL and meniscus injuries. The ACL, however, was not torn. [ESPN]
What Is A Meniscus Injury?
The meniscus is cartilage in the knee that acts as a cushion between the thigh bone and shin bone.
Dart’s meniscus damage emerged as one of the most important findings from his medical examinations. NFL Network reported that the meniscus was the main issue after the initial belief that Dart had suffered only an MCL sprain. [NFL]
His meniscus and MCL will require surgery, dramatically extending the expected absence compared with the original estimates for an isolated MCL sprain.
Did Jaxson Dart Try To Return To The Rams Game?
Yes. Despite the eventual diagnosis, Dart initially wanted to continue playing.
He was able to walk off the field and later returned to the sideline in street clothes. The Giants did not allow him back into the game.
The fact that Dart could walk and wanted to continue playing contributed to the early optimism surrounding the injury, but neither ruled out significant ligament or cartilage damage.
Further testing ultimately showed that the injury was much more serious than the first examination suggested. [Giants]
Who Will Replace Jaxson Dart?
Jameis Winston will become the Giants’ starting quarterback while Dart recovers.
Harbaugh officially named Winston the starter and said the Giants will adjust their offensive game plan around the veteran quarterback’s strengths. [Giants]
Winston replaced Dart against Los Angeles and completed 11 of 27 passes for 111 yards with one interception. The Giants failed to score a touchdown in the 28-6 loss.
New York also has Jake Haener on its practice squad. Harbaugh said the Giants plan to explore adding another quarterback, potentially through either a veteran signing or a trade. [Giants]
Why Is Jaxson Dart’s Injury Such A Big Loss For The Giants?
Dart entered his second NFL season as New York’s established starting quarterback and opened 2026 with one of the best performances of his young career.
In the Giants’ Week 1 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, Dart completed 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns while adding 54 rushing yards. He became the first quarterback in NFL history to begin a season with at least three touchdown passes, 50 rushing yards and a passer rating of 130. [Giants]
His second game lasted only seven offensive snaps before the knee injury ended his regular season.
When Will Jaxson Dart Return?
There is no exact return date.
Dart will undergo surgery and miss the remaining 15 games of the Giants’ regular-season schedule. Sources have estimated approximately six months of recovery from the procedure, and the Giants expect him to make a full recovery in time for the 2027 season. [ESPN]
Harbaugh has technically left open the possibility of Dart returning if the Giants advance to the playoffs, but emphasized that recovery from the surgery cannot be predicted precisely.
The clearest answer is therefore that Dart’s 2026 regular season is over. A playoff return remains an unconfirmed possibility dependent on his recovery, while the expectation is that he will be fully recovered for the 2027 season.
Jaxson Dart Injury FAQ
What knee did Jaxson Dart injure?
Dart injured his left knee against the Los Angeles Rams. [Giants]
What did Jaxson Dart tear?
Testing revealed damage to Dart’s MCL, PCL and meniscus. Reports say the MCL and meniscus require surgery. [NFL]
Did Jaxson Dart tear his ACL?
No. Dart’s ACL is intact. [NFL]
Does Jaxson Dart need surgery?
Yes. Dart will undergo surgery to repair his MCL and meniscus injuries. [ESPN]
Is Jaxson Dart out for the season?
He is officially out for the rest of the 2026 regular season. Giants coach John Harbaugh has not completely ruled out a return during the playoffs if New York qualifies. [Giants]
How long will Jaxson Dart be out?
Sources have estimated approximately six months of recovery following surgery, although Harbaugh said the exact timetable will depend on how Dart’s rehabilitation progresses. The Giants expect him to make a full recovery for the 2027 season. [ESPN]
Who replaces Jaxson Dart?
Jameis Winston is the Giants’ starting quarterback while Dart is sidelined. [Giants]
