Jaxson Dart shares defiant statement after latest injury scare

The New York Giants reportedly asked rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart to be more cautious regarding when and how he scrambles during games after he suffered a concussion that caused him to miss a pair of contests. 

Thus, eyebrows were raised when he took a crunching hit delivered by New England Patriots linebacker Christian Elliss in the first quarter of Monday's game between the clubs.

Following the Giants' 33-15 loss to the Patriots that dropped Big Blue to 2-11 on the season, Dart was asked if he regretted trying to get an extra yard or two on that play. 

Jaxson Dart seems prepared to keep taking risks during games

"No, look, I understand the question, but this is football," Dart said, per the Giants' website and ESPN's Jordan Raanan. "I'm going to get hit if I'm in the pocket or outside the pocket. I feel like I played this way my whole entire life. It shouldn't be any shocker to anybody if you followed along with my career. We're not playing soccer out here. You're going to get hit. Things happen. It's just part of the game."

Dart was checked for a concussion on four occasions during games from the preseason up until he was knocked out of the Giants' Week 10 loss at the Chicago Bears on Nov. 9. The Giants fired head coach Brian Daboll on Nov. 10. 

"I got knocked out of the game against Chicago on a fluke play," Dart explained. "You watch the hit, I lose control of the ball, and I don't brace myself because I'm trying to re-catch the ball. It's not because of the hit. It's because I lost the ball. So just like any other league, you take new steps, there's bigger, faster players. My body feels good. I'm going to play aggressive. I feel like if I just turn into a complete pocket passer, that's just not how I want to play the game. I feel like there's an advantage to me using my legs."

Jaxson Dart not pleased with his play vs. Patriots

Dart finished the Patriots game and completed 17-of-24 pass attempts for 139 yards with one touchdown and zero interceptions in the loss. He also rushed for 20 yards on four attempts. 

"Not good enough because we lost," Dart said when asked how he'd assess his performance at Gillette Stadium.

Dart will have some extra time during the Giants' Week 14 bye to further evaluate his play. New York next hosts the Washington Commanders (3-9) on Dec. 14. 

"Like I said, I played like this my whole life," Dart added during his postgame comments. "Turn on my high school tape, turn on my college tape, it's not a shocker to anybody. It's how I've played. I felt like if you just watch the game, like, I did slide. I did avoid a lot of hits, so you're going to get hit. It's football."