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Within the two weeks that quarterback Jaxson Dart has missed with a concussion, the New York Giants became the first team to be eliminated from playoff contention this season.
For the Giants and their fans, the biggest thing to look forward to now is seeing the rookie gunslinger return to action. But when will Dart return?
New York’s first-round pick has missed two consecutive games after sustaining a concussion in a Week 10 game against the Chicago Bears. In the meantime, backup quarterback Jameis Winston has led the Giants’ offense to 20-plus point performances in two straight games. But back-to-back blown fourth quarter leads dropped New York to 2-10 and gave Winston an 0-2 record in his first two Giants starts.
Dart nearly completed the NFL’s five-step concussion protocol process last week, so a return in Week 13 against the New England Patriots might be on the table.
Here’s the latest information we have on Dart’s injury status and possible return date.
When will Jaxson Dart return?
Dart could return as soon as this week, when the Giants take on the Patriots on Monday, Dec. 1 in a Week 13 matchup.
For that to happen, he first needs to clear the NFL’s concussion protocol. Dart progressed through the fourth of five stages of the league’s standardized recovery process from head injuries last week. He was a limited participant in practice in Week 12 but was unable to record a full participation in practice – the final step in the concussion protocol – before last week’s meeting with the Detroit Lions.
If Dart returns to practice in a full capacity this week, he could return to action on Dec. 1 after missing two games.
The Giants also have a bye in Week 14, and interim head coach Mike Kafka may opt to keep Dart out until Week 15. New York is already eliminated from the playoffs, and backup Jameis Winston has successfully run the offense through two weeks.
The rookie initially entered the NFL’s concussion protocol during New York’s Week 10 game against the Bears. Dart took a hard tackle on a rush attempt near the end of the third quarter and eventually left the game with the ailment.
He entered the league’s protocol during the game and after his fourth concussion check since the final week of the preseason.
The rookie missed the Giants’ Week 11 loss to the Green Bay Packers and Week 12 loss to the Lions while still working through the protocol. Winston, a veteran free agent signee from the offseason, made his first two starts for New York in Dart’s place.
What is the NFL’s concussion protocol?
The NFL breaks its concussion protocol down into five steps. The process is designed to break up the recovery process from a head injury to ensure a player’s safety.
A player in the protocol must clear all five steps before they’re cleared to play. Here are the five steps, according to the NFL:
Symptom-limited activityAerobic exerciseFootball-specific exerciseClub-based non-contact training drillsFull football activity/clearance
Dart was on the fourth step of the concussion protocol when he returned to practice as a non-contact participant throughout Week 12. He still needs to be a full participant in a Giants practice session this week before he’s cleared to return to action in Week 13.
Giants QB depth chartJaxson Dart (questionable – concussion)Jameis WinstonRussell Wilson
Dart took over as the Giants’ starter in Week 4 after New York got out to an 0-3 record under veteran free agent signee Russell Wilson.
Wilson struggled not only in his three starts with the Giants but in almost all of his six total appearances this year. His Week 10 line in relief of Dart was 3-of-7 passing for 45 yards, and he lost 13 yards on two sacks. After that game, Kafka announced Winston would replace Wilson as Dart’s backup. Winston started New York’s Week 11 game against the Packers and its Week 12 game against the Lions.
Winston was also a free-agent signing by the Giants during the offseason. New York inked him to a two-year deal before bringing in Wilson on a one-year contract. The former No. 1 overall pick went 18-of-36 for 336 yards, two touchdowns and an interception while also catching a 33-yard touchdown pass in his latest start in Week 12.