Giants reportedly make Jaxson Dart surgery decision after knee injury

A Wednesday morning report indicated that New York Giants starting quarterback Jaxson Dart may not necessarily miss the rest of the 2026 season due to the knee injury he suffered on the opening drive of the club's 28-6 loss at the Los Angeles Rams (1-1) this past Monday night. 

Dart and the Giants have since reportedly decided on his overall recovery.

What is the full nature of Jaxson Dart's injury?

Late Wednesday morning, league insider Ian Rapoport of NFL Network shared that "Dart is expected to have knee surgery that will lead to a full recovery but end his 2026 season." 

"Dart has been soliciting opinions on the injury," Rapoport continued. "And the ACL is intact. But surgery is coming." 

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Dart "suffered damage to his MCL, PCL and meniscus." Schefter added that Dart's "meniscus is the main issue." 

Darryl Slater of NJ Advance Media previously mentioned that a torn MCL or a torn meniscus would likely end Dart's season. 

Before Wednesday's update surfaced, backup Jameis Winston was set to start for the 1-1 Giants when they host the 0-2 Tennessee Titans this coming Sunday. However, some think that Big Blue could explore a trade for a different signal-caller if Winston loses more than he wins over the next two or three games. 

Against the Rams, Winston gave the Giants little chance to compete when he went 11-of-27 passing for 111 yards with an interception and zero touchdown drives. 

Giants have this "plan" for the future of Jaxson Dart

Per Rapoport, Schefter and NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, the Giants' "plan" is that Dart will make a full recovery. That said, Dart's future with the club is at the very least up in the air as he prepares to go under the knife. 

Without Dart, the Giants could endure a rough season en route to finding themselves in a position to draft an advertised top-tier quarterback prospect next spring. First-year Giants head coach John Harbaugh is a known Dart fan, but Harbaugh could hit a figurative reset button in 2027 as the franchise's true head of football operations. 

Of course, it's far too early for anybody to guess who will be the Giants' 2027 Week 1 QB1. For now, Harbaugh will do all he can to get his players focused on attempting to beat the Titans at MetLife Stadium.