Hard to hit a bullseye without a Dart. But the New York Giants are trying.
Big Blue sits within the playoff picture entering the second half of the season despite missing starting quarterback Jaxson Dart. The second-year quarterback has missed every game since sustaining a knee injury in the Giants' Week 2 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
In his absence, New York has managed to put together a 4-1-1 record. The defense has held its own thanks to the efforts of second-year Abdul Carter, rookie Arvell Reese and an ascendant secondary. On offense, the Giants' acquisition of quarterback J.J. McCarthy in a late September trade has kept the unit clicking without its usual leader.
The Giants will play their third of four scheduled prime-time games this year on Thursday, Nov. 12. The "Thursday Night Football" clash with the Washington Commanders is the first marquee game New York will play without Dart starting behind center.
Here's what to know about Dart's injury and his status for the rest of the year:
Jaxson Dart injury update
Dart will miss the rest of the 2026 season after suffering a knee injury in Week 2.
The Giants' second-year quarterback sustained damage to his MCL and meniscus when he took a hit from two Rams defenders on Sept. 21. He underwent surgery to repair the ligament and cartilage in his knee after the Week 2 game, and his recovery will keep him out through Week 18.
The announcement of the full nature of Dart's injury came as a shock, since the initial prognosis was a sprained MCL and potentially some missed time after X-rays were negative. The quarterback's desire to return to the game after the injury at the time, according to head coach John Harbaugh, also seemed to indicate the injury was not serious.
Instead, reports emerged a day after Dart exited the Week 2 game that the damage was more severe than expected. Dart is set to miss the rest of the regular season, though Harbaugh did not rule out a postseason return for the 23-year-old if the Giants make it that far.
At 5-2-1, New York sits in first place in the NFC East and holds a two-game lead over the Dallas Cowboys.
Giants QB depth chart
- J.J. McCarthy
- Jameis Winston
- Jaxson Dart (IR – knee)
Dart is still on injured reserve after suffering his knee injury. One week after the injury, the Giants traded a fifth-round pick to the Minnesota Vikings to acquire McCarthy.
The Michigan product began his Giants tenure as their third-string quarterback behind Winston and Jake Haener, who is now on New York's practice squad. McCarthy was eventually elevated to backup, and he became the starter after Winston struggled against the Saints in Week 6.
McCarthy is 2-0 as the Giants' starter going into Week 10. Winston remains his backup.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When will Jaxson Dart return? Giants QB suffered leg injury Week 2, timeline
