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It will be the Jameis Winston show once again when the New York Giants take the field in Week 12.
Rookie sensation Jaxson Dart will not see the field Sunday as he continues to work his way through the NFL’s concussion protocol.
That means Mike Kafka will have to continue his trial run as Giants HC without his No. 1 quarterback this weekend against the Detroit Lions, a tough task for anyone, let alone an interim bench boss.
There may be some comfort for Kafka to be able to turn to the journeyman Winston, who performed well in Week 11 – until a late interception hit the brakes on any potential Giants victory against the Green Bay Packers.
Here’s what to know about Dart’s status today, and when he may return to the fold.
Is Jaxson Dart playing today?
No – Dart has been ruled out of the Giants’ Week 12 matchup vs. the Lions, according to interim coach Mike Kafka.
The rookie initially entered the NFL’s concussion protocol during New York’s Week 10 game against the Chicago 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 while still working through the protocol. Winston, a veteran free agent signee from the offseason, made his first start for New York in Dart’s place.
When will Jaxson Dart return?
The Giants quarterback needs to clear the NFL’s concussion protocol before he has a shot to return to the field. Dart was seemingly nearing the end of the protocol leading up to Week 12, when Kafka announced that the passer returned to practice in a limited, non-contact capacity; the second-to-last step of the five-step protocol.
Should Dart practice again this week and make it to the end of the protocol, he could be in line to return in Week 13 against the Patriots. That, though, is far from a guarantee, given the nature of concussions.
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 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 on Nov. 19. He will still need to be a full participant in a Giants practice session this week before he’s cleared to return to action in Week 12.
Giants QB depth chartJaxson Dart (out – 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.
Winston was also a free-agent signing by the Giants in 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 19-of-29 passing for 201 yards and an interception, rushing for 10 yards and a touchdown in his Week 11 start.