Jaxson Dart kept up with his solid preseason for the New York Giants in Week 3 against the New England Patriots. Following an opening-drive touchdown, the rookie quarterback directed a couple of promising series in the first quarter. Appearing every bit the playmaker the Giants envisioned when they selected him. In a night where the home faithful yearned to see the future, Dart had no issues with the limelight. The Ole Miss star got the start and right away displayed poise, precision, and a willingness to make plays with his legs. Then, in the midst of another drive, something unforeseen ended his game night early.

Dart, while stretching a gainer, went 23 yards. Instead of sliding for himself the rookie plunged headfirst into two approaching defenders. Linebacker Jack Gibbens was waiting for him headfirst and and caused a fumble on the run. Dart got up to his feet quickly and touched the top of his helmet as he sat up, causing concerns that he might have had a head injury. He was walked into the medical tent to be checked out. And for the first time tonight, nervous chatter ran through the stands at MetLife. Although veteran Jameis Winston stepped in and immediately passed a touchdown on the next play, the attention never left Dart.

He soon emerged from the tent and sat silently on the sideline bench with helmet in hand, but remained out for the next possession. The team formally made official at halftime that Dart had been tested for concussion but cleared through protocol. His removal from the rest of the game was due to caution. The abrupt departure created a wave of alarm, raising questions about whether the Giants’ rookie had just experienced his first big setback. With so much buzz over his growth this preseason, any type of injury felt like the kind of narrative that would put a shadow on the night. However, Head coach Brian Daboll had already stated he only had the rookie playing for a quarter in mind. 

Before he departed, he went 6 of 12 for 81 yards, including a 50-yard gain to Gunner Olszewski and a touchdown to tight end Greg Dulcich. The Giants front office wanted to see how he’d make decisions and remain calm against a sound New England defense, and for the most part, the rookie answered the bell. Dart’s competitiveness, albeit thrilling, must be tempered with better judgment, especially with taking care of himself. The Giants’ medical staff wasn’t simply keeping Dart occupied on Thursday night.

On the other hand, safety Anthony Johnson Jr. has been out since August. Linebacker Victor Dimukeje is out due to a pectoral injury. Wide receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton is on IR. For Daboll and his staff, the puzzle of keeping injury-prone young players healthy and available for Week 1 has turned into a surgical tightrope.

Depth chart effect

Despite all the hype on Jaxson Dart’s flashes, the true measuring rod is how he compares to the other guns in New York’s arsenal. Behind Russell Wilson, the Giants already possess experience in Jameis Winston and Tommy DeVito, so Dart is not being given anything. Every rep counts because the Giants don’t want him to be flawless, but they do want him to show he has a spot on this depth chart.

Meanwhile, Winston has made quiet steady preseason work. The veteran has passed for 172 yards (28th in the NFL), 1 touchdown (T-20th), and zero interceptions. A line that shows his ability to avoid putting the ball in harm’s way while still taking it downfield. It’s not flashy, but it’s dependable, just what Brian Daboll could appreciate if injuries or inconsistency hit Wilson.

That leaves Dart with an uphill battle. His raw arm ability and playmaking instincts are evident, particularly when drawing out a gainer into chunk plays. But against Winston’s efficiency, every miscue screams. The Giants are not simply choosing a backup quarterback, they’re choosing how much faith they can put in a rookie to bypass a vetted veteran and that might determine Dart’s role in Week 1.