EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNew York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart will undergo surgery on his knee and miss the rest of the 2026 regular season, head coach John Harbaugh announced Wednesday.Harbaugh did not the rule out the possibility Dart would return if the Giants were to make the playoffs.Dart's ACL is intact, but the second-year star has damage to his meniscus and MCL that requires the surgery, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Schefter. He also has damage to his PCL, sources told Schefter.The Giants expect Dart, who suffered the injury to his left knee in Monday's loss to the Los Angeles Rams, to make a full recovery and be ready for the 2027 season, sources told Rapoport.The Giants initially hoped that Dart didn't have a long-term injury, with coach Harbaugh saying Monday that the team likely avoided "a disastrous outcome."But Harbaugh declined to comment Tuesday after sources told ESPN and NFL Network that Dart's injury was more severe than originally expected.Harbaugh noted Tuesday that Dart was still undergoing medical evaluations. But after exhausting all options and seeking other opinions, the Giants and Dart elected for surgery.The surgery to repair the torn meniscus and MCL carries a recovery timeline of approximately six months, according to sources. Had Dart suffered an ACL tear, he would have been sidelined at least nine months.The Giants (1-1) will now turn to Jameis Winston, who struggled after replacing Dart against the Rams on Monday night. Harbaugh expressed confidence Tuesday in Winston's ability to step in as New York's long-term replacement under center.Dart suffered the injury during the opening possession of Monday's 28-6 loss. The Giants lost Dart on their seventh snap of the game, when he was hit on his right side by Rams linebacker Byron Young. That hit sent Dart into linebacker Josaiah Stewart, who undercut the quarterback's legs, resulting in a hard fall.Dart immediately grabbed at his left knee and went to the blue medical tent. He walked with a limp to the locker room before officially being ruled out early in the third quarter.Winston completed just 11 of 27 passes for 111 yards and an interception. Beyond Winston, the Giants have quarterback Jake Haener on their practice squad.Dart, 23, flashed promise as a rookie last year and was outstanding in New York's season-opening victory over the Dallas Cowboys, completing 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for 54 yards.
