The New York Giants confirmed Thursday that Jaxson Dart has been placed on injured reserve, ending his 2026 season after just two starts. Team officials announced Dart will require surgery after sustaining damage to his meniscus, MCL and PCL, and he will not play again this year.
Dart’s injury and the immediate medical reality
The injury occurred on the first drive of Monday night’s game against the Los Angeles Rams when Dart’s left leg bent awkwardly as he was hit by two defenders. An MRI after the game revealed a more extensive knee injury than initially suspected; the initial hope of a shorter absence gave way to a surgical plan that places him on injured reserve for the remainder of the regular season.
Coach John Harbaugh delivered the blunt assessment: “The season’s not over, but it is for him.” The roster move to injured reserve formalizes that medical reality and forces the Giants to reconfigure their plans at quarterback for the immediate future.
Jameis Winston steps into the starting role
With Jaxson Dart ruled out for at least the rest of the regular season, the Giants will turn to Jameis Winston for Sunday's 1 p.m. kickoff against the Tennessee Titans at MetLife Stadium, Harbaugh said. Harbaugh added that the team will build a game plan for the 32-year-old and that Winston has been practicing every day, taking reps, attending meetings and remaining engaged with the offense.
Winston’s most recent appearance came in the 28-6 loss at Los Angeles, when he completed 11 of 27 passes for 111 yards and threw an interception. Harbaugh noted Winston’s experience as the staff builds a game plan around a quarterback set to make his 90th professional start.
“He can throw it: he’s a big, strong passing quarterback,” Harbaugh said, adding that Winston’s preparation has made the transition easier. “From that perspective, it’s seamless. It’s not ideal at all, but it’s definitely seamless.”
The Giants also signaled they will add another quarterback to the roster for depth, but the club is moving forward with Winston at the most important position as it adjusts to Dart’s absence.
Short-term consequences and roster considerations
Dart’s surgery and placement on injured reserve force an immediate recalibration. The Giants have a veteran starter in Winston who knows the offense and has been working daily with the team, which allows New York to avoid a disruptive midweek install. Still, Harbaugh acknowledged the situation is far from ideal.
The team’s quarterback room already included backup options; Tanner Haener, who joined the Giants midway through training camp, remained on the roster after outlasting Brandon Allen in camp, and the organization plans to add another quarterback to supplement the depth chart. That addition is intended to provide insurance behind Winston as the club navigates the next stretch of the schedule.
Winston’s readiness and familiarity with the system will be the immediate focal point for the offense. Coaches pointed to his daily practice work, rep-taking and meeting attendance as reasons they believe the transition can be handled without wholesale changes to preparation.
At the same time, Dart’s knee surgery and season-ending designation represent a significant interruption to the club’s plans. The Giants are now balancing short-term win objectives with the realities of repairing a starter’s health, while leaning on a veteran who has been preparing to step in.
Winston has publicly accepted the role he’s been given, and the team’s approach this week will test how quickly the Giants can translate practice familiarity into results on game day with their new starting quarterback. The immediate answer begins Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
