Jaxson Dart showed his caliber as a rookie last year, giving the New York Giants renewed hope that they had finally found a franchise quarterback capable of leading the team for years to come. His athleticism quickly made him one of the most exciting young players on the roster.

Dart’s team is coming off a 19-11 win over the Philadelphia Eagles and will now look to maintain their momentum when the Giants host the Washington Commanders on Thursday. Since Dart won’t play in Week 10, let’s take a closer look at his latest injury and potential return timeline.

What Happened to Jaxson Dart?

Dart’s 2026 regular season came to an unfortunate end after he suffered a knee injury in the Giants’ 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on September 21. Giants head coach John Harbaugh confirmed in September that Dart would miss the remainder of the regular season and undergo surgery on his left knee.

The injury occurred during the opening possession of the game, as New York lost its starting quarterback on the seventh snap after Rams linebacker Byron Young delivered a hit to Dart’s right side. The collision sent Dart directly into linebacker Josaiah Stewart, who made contact with the quarterback’s legs and caused him to take a hard fall.

Dart later headed to the blue medical tent for an initial evaluation and was later seen limping toward the locker room before the Giants officially ruled him out at halftime. It was later known that he suffered damage to his left MCL, PCL, and meniscus.

The meniscus injury was reportedly the most significant concern and played a major role in determining the next steps in his recovery.

Following this injury, Dart’s aggressive playing style has raised concerns about his long-term durability, as he already missed two games because of a concussion in his first season.

Dart also underwent several additional concussion evaluations throughout his first season. His willingness to put himself in harm’s way, especially when scrambling or attempting to extend plays, has occasionally resulted in unnecessary physical punishment.

When Will Dart Return?

Harbaugh confirmed that Dart would not return during the regular season, but the Giants coach did not completely rule out the possibility of the quarterback making a comeback if New York reaches the playoffs.

Giants insider Art Stapleton recently provided an update on Dart’s recovery.

“Good to see Jaxson Dart in the Giants’ locker room today. He’s obviously been around the team in recent weeks, continuing his rehab. Still using crutches to get around,” Stapleton tweeted on Nov. 6.

Dart played incredibly in New York’s season-opening 28-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys. He completed 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns while adding another 54 rushing yards on the ground. In the 2025 season, Dart ranked 21st on PFN’s NFL QB Impact metric with a grade of 73.7.