Sources: Giants QB Dart believed to have sprained MCL; more tests to come

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  Jordan RaananSep 21, 2026, 08:41 PM ET

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  Jordan Raanan covers the New York Giants for ESPN and can be heard hosting on ESPN Radio. Raanan joined ESPN in 2016.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart left Monday night's 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams after taking a hard hit on his left knee during his team's first series.

Dart went to the blue medical tent, where he was examined. He came out and walked with a limp to the locker room.

The team initially said he was questionable to return because of a knee injury but announced early in the third quarter that he would not return.

"He's going to be OK," Giants general manager Joe Schoen told ESPN's Laura Rutledge.

Dart underwent X-rays at the stadium and later returned to the Giants' sideline in street clothes.

Dart was hurt while being pressured on third-and-8. Rams linebacker Byron Young hit Dart from the quarterback's right side, sending him into linebacker Josaiah Stewart as he tried to tackle Dart, who landed hard on the turf.

The second-year quarterback immediately grabbed at his left knee. He had completed 3 of 5 passes for 20 yards.

Jameis Winston replaced Dart at quarterback. Sources told ESPN that Dart tried to get back into the game in the first half, but the Giants wouldn't let him.

Winston started two games and appeared in three for the Giants in 2025, throwing for 567 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. The 11-year veteran was drafted No. 1 in 2015 and has also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns.

Dart wasn't the only Giants star who left the game in the first half. Wide receiver Malik Nabers was hurt trying to make a catch in the second quarter.

Cornerback Trent McDuffie knocked down a pass intended for Nabers, who immediately grabbed at his right shoulder. Nabers went to the sideline and sank to the ground, where he was attended to by trainers for several minutes.

The third-year wide receiver, who came back last week from a torn ACL, then went to the bench and put a towel over his head. He was initially listed as questionable but returned to the field later in the second quarter.

Information from The Associated Press was included in this report.