Jaxson Dart's night appears to have come to an abrupt end.
The New York Giants quarterback exited Monday's primetime matchup against the Los Angeles Rams due to a knee injury and was downgraded to questionable.
New York also survived a scare to receiver Malik Nabers, who was briefly ruled as questionable with a shoulder injury.
Dart was hurt on the very first drive of the game, when he threw a pass downfield and took a hit at the end of the play. The Giants QB took a hit from Rams linebacker Byron Young and landed awkwardly, getting wedged between two defenders as he fell to the ground.
As Dart landed, Young also landed on top of him, after which the sophomore was seen clutching his knee in pain. Dart would eventually limp his way to the sideline and then later walk back to the locker room as veteran backup Jameis Winston stepped in for New York's next drive. Dart completed 3-of-5 pass attempts for 20 yards before he left.
According to ESPN's Laura Rutledge on the broadcast, GM Joe Schoen said Dart is "going to be OK." Later, Jordan Raanan, also of ESPN, reported that Dart wanted to return on Monday.
The QB entered Week 2 on the heels of a strong showing in the Giants' season-opening win over the Dallas Cowboys. He threw for 230 yards and three touchdowns in the 28-20 win and completed 79.3 per cent of his passes.
New York selected Dart in the first round (25th overall) of the 2025 draft, and he was named QB1 by Week 4 of last season, replacing Russell Wilson. The Ole Miss product played 14 games as a rookie, including 12 starts, and threw for 2,272 yards, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Dart now joins a growing list of promising young QBs dealing with early injuries this season. Washington Commanders' Jayden Daniels suffered a dislocated elbow in a loss to the Cowboys, while Chicago Bears' Caleb Williams went down with a hamstring injury.
Nabers was injured jockeying with Rams cornerback Trent McDuffie when he was targeted on a first-down pass. Nabers immediately grabbed his right shoulder and ran to the sideline, where he was clearly in pain as he was examined by multiple trainers.
Nabers remained on the bench, working with a trainer and lifting and flexing his right arm as the Giants prepared for their ensuing offensive possession after falling behind 14-0, but he was able to return to the game.
— with files from The Associated Press
