Jaxson Dart’s season-ending knee injury has become clearer as the New York Giants prepare to move forward without their second-year quarterback for the next few months.
According to The Athletic’s Dan Duggan, citing league sources, Dart is scheduled to undergo surgery on his left knee Friday at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan, with a four-to-six-month recovery timeline expected.
Surgeons will perform a full repair of Dart’s meniscus, not just a trim of the torn piece, which is considered the primary issue and will extend the recovery timeline past the postseason. Dart also sustained damage to his MCL and posterior cruciate ligament, and those injuries will be addressed during the procedure if necessary, per Duggan.
The projected recovery timeline partially explains why Giants coach John Harbaugh ruled Dart out for the remainder of the regular season Wednesday but left open the possibility of a postseason return if New York qualifies.
“The regular season, at least, I would say,” Harbaugh said. “Other than that, there’s no way to know. It depends on the recovery. You can’t pinpoint it.”
With a minimum four-month recovery timeline, Dart could face a best-case scenario of returning in late January or in time for the Super Bowl if the Giants make it there, but it’s unlikely he’ll be ready to start.
Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
Dart suffered the injury during Monday night’s 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams when two defenders sandwiched him in the first quarter. The initial belief was that he could miss only a few weeks, but follow-up testing Tuesday revealed significantly more damage than New York initially hoped.
The Giants placed Dart on injured reserve on Thursday, with the quarterback effectively finishing the season with 26 of 34 passes completed for 250 yards and three touchdowns.
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Jameis Winston will take over as New York’s starting quarterback, while practice-squad veteran Jake Haener is expected to serve as his backup.
The 1-1 Giants return to MetLife Stadium on Sunday to host the Tennessee Titans at 1 p.m. ET.
