Jaxson Dart is already in regular-season form, making his weekly blue-tent appearance in the New York Giants' preseason debut Saturday.
And though the second-year quarterback was deemed OK after the big hit he took on a blown block by running back Tyrone Tracy Jr., Dart didn't love that he was forced to the tent before that conclusion was arrived at. Based on his comments after the game, Dart's feeling of being targeted by the league was apparent.
"I really respect the rules and the thought behind what the NFL has of keeping players healthy and reviewing things," Dart said. "At the same time, I'm still puzzled by it just feeling like every time that I get hit, I find my way in there."
His frustration is understandable. As a young player still trying
to prove his worth, it has to be incredibly tough being constantly pulled from games, leaving your team disadvantaged for several plays at a time, knowing you aren't concussed or injured.
But here's the thing: how are the rest of us supposed to know Dart isn't concussed or injured when he's busy taking a nap on the field? Which is almost what it looked like Saturday, when Dart laid motionless on the Giants' midfield logo for several seconds after the hit.
BIG FOOTBALL HITS ARE SO BACK.
— NFL (@NFL) August 15, 2026
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/11JOVdunxm
Does Dart think he shouldn't be pulled after that? He wants to be able to hit snooze for a couple seconds without leaving the field?
Short of an extremely unlikely change to the league's concussion protocol, which allows for referees and medical personnel to send players to the tent for evaluation, the best way for Dart to avoid missing game time is to simply get up.
And look, I know that's easy for me to say behind a keyboard. I'm not the one getting drilled in the ribs by an unblocked safety running full speed. But in the NFL, that's par for the course. When you stay down longer than usual, people are going to think you're hurt. In which case, yes, you should be looked at. Especially when you have a history of taking big hits. If you don't want to come out the game, fight through the pain and get up.
In a league full of players like Dart, who will disregard their own health for the good of the team, it's nice to know at least somebody is occasionally looking out for them.
Fantasy football sleepers for all 32 teams
If you're having trouble identifying targets in those mid-to-late rounds of your fantasy football drafts, allow FTW's Charles Curtis to help you out with sleepers to consider from all 32 teams. That includes a popular pick from the Jacksonville Jaguars, wide receiver Parker Washington:
"I don't care that everyone thinks he's going to be a sleeper candidate. He looked like the top receiver in Jacksonville -- the concerns about Brian Thomas Jr. and maybe Travis Hunter could be a thing for Washington's value, but I'm buying a later-draft swing at a player who finished WR4, WR16 and WR6 in Weeks 16-18 last year."
Washington was excellent in Jacksonville's wild card playoff loss too, putting up 107 yards and a touchdown on the Bills.
Photo of the Day
Quick hits: New obstructed views ... No. 5 jokes ... and more
- New video of the obstructed-view seats at Highmark Stadium show just how bad they are for Bills fans. Also, the grass there isn't quite perfect yet.
- Sports fans and teams have been roasting Jayden Daniels mercilessly on social media with No. 5 memes.
- Dan Campbell pointed out an obvious flaw in the NFL's new expanded challenge rule involving assistants.
- Undrafted rookie cornerback Ceyair Wright left Bengals camp to pursue his other passion as an actor.
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This article originally appeared on For The Win: Jaxson Dart shouldn't be so 'puzzled' why he can’t nap on the field undisturbed
