The New York Giants are preparing to move forward without Jaxson Dart. The second year quarterback is expected to undergo surgery on his injured left knee and miss the remainder of the 2026 season, according to reports Wednesday from NFL Network and ESPN.
The surgery is expected to address damage to Dart's meniscus and medial collateral ligament. ESPN also reported damage to his posterior cruciate ligament. His anterior cruciate ligament is intact, and NFL Network reported that doctors expect him to make a full recovery. The Giants had not announced a final timetable as of Wednesday afternoon.
An encouraging first update changed quickly
Dart was injured during the opening possession of Monday night's 28 to 6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. His left knee buckled as Byron Young and Josaiah Stewart arrived during a pass attempt. Dart left the field, briefly returned, then exited the game for good.
Initial X rays were negative. General manager Joe Schoen expressed optimism after the game, and early concern centered on a possible MCL sprain. The more detailed imaging produced a much more serious picture. What first appeared likely to cost Dart several weeks is now expected to end his season after only two games.
The distinction is significant for New York. Dart is not a temporary starter or a short term bridge. The Giants selected him with the 25th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and built their offensive direction around his development. He opened this season by completing 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns in a victory over Dallas, reinforcing the belief that his promising rookie year could lead to a major step forward.
That opportunity is now interrupted. The encouraging part of the medical reporting is that Dart's ACL remained intact and a full recovery is expected. The difficult part is the length and complexity of the rehabilitation ahead. Damage involving several structures can make the process less straightforward than the original diagnosis suggested.
Jameis Winston moves to the center of the plan
Jameis Winston replaced Dart against Los Angeles and completed 11 of 27 passes for 111 yards with one interception. He is positioned to start while New York evaluates the rest of its quarterback depth. Jake Haener is currently on the practice squad.
The Giants now face a sharp adjustment before visiting Tennessee. An offense designed around Dart's movement, arm strength and willingness to create outside structure will need to become more conventional with Winston. The veteran remains capable of pushing the ball downfield, but New York must balance that aggression against the turnover risk that has followed him throughout his career.
The injury also changes the purpose of the season. New York entered September hoping to measure progress around a young franchise quarterback. It must now compete without receiving the weekly development data that mattered most. Coaches can still build the offense, evaluate the supporting cast and protect a season that has barely started, but the central piece will be rehabilitating instead of playing.
A longer view matters now
Dart's recovery will be watched closely because his value to the Giants extends far beyond 2026. The immediate goal is successful surgery. The next will be restoring strength, stability and confidence without rushing a return to football movement.
The reports of an expected full recovery offer reason for optimism, but the Giants have learned how quickly an injury outlook can change. They will need patience with the player they expect to lead their offense for years, even as the current season moves on without him.
*Featured image: Jaxson Dart with the New York Giants in September 2025. Photo by All Pro Reels, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.*