EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart has been fully cleared from concussion protocol and will start Monday night when the struggling New York Giants (2-10) host the surging New England Patriots (10-2), interim head coach Mike Kafka confirmed Friday. Dart will take every first-team rep this week.
The first-round pick missed the last two games after sustaining a concussion on Nov. 9 in Chicago, with veteran Jameis Winston filling in.
“I’m ready—I’ve been waiting for this,” Dart said after practice. “Primetime games are the ones you circle. I’m excited to compete at a high level and do everything I can to lead these guys to a win.”
The Giants have lost six straight and are attempting to end a franchise-record 12-game road losing streak (their last road win came nearly a year ago). Getting their franchise QB back is a step in that direction.
“It’s great to have him back in the mix,” Kafka said. “He’s been preparing.”
Dart nearly returned last week but was held out by the medical staff. He acknowledged the need to be smarter about taking hits—he’s absorbed nearly 10 per game—and to stay on the field more consistently for his team.
“Availability has to be a priority for me moving forward,” Dart said. “This level is different. In college I rarely slid, but this is a different beast. I’ve been getting better each week at protecting myself.”
He pushed back on the narrative that all four of his in-season evaluations (including preseason) were strictly head-related, explaining some were triggered by stingers or shortness of breath. Still, the latest concussion forced him to miss valuable reps as a rookie.
Dart will make his return in his first game since Brian Daboll was fired on Nov. 10. He opened Friday’s press conference by paying tribute to his former head coach.
“I have all the respect in the world for Coach Daboll—an incredible offensive mind who developed me tremendously,” Dart said. “This business is tough. I might not even be here without him. I’ve got nothing but love for him.”
