Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart was unable to clear the concussion protocol, so he’s out for a second straight recreation Sunday in Detroit.
Interim head coach Mike Kafka anticipated on Wednesday that Dart was going to be prepared to start out in opposition to the Lions, however the docs wouldn’t clear Dart after they examined him late within the week.
“He’s just in the protocol, and he’s just working through that phasing of it,” Kafka mentioned Friday earlier than follow. “And based on the testing and the results, we’re ruling him out for this week… Where he’s at, that all goes through the doctors — the independent doctor as well — so they make those determinations on where he’s at.”
Preserving Dart, 22, out of Sunday’s recreation is the best resolution for his well being. It didn’t make sense to hurry him again into an NFL recreation, particularly in opposition to one of the vital violent linebacking corps within the NFL.
The Giants didn’t make an organizational resolution right here out of warning, although. They might have performed Dart if he cleared. However the docs fortunately steered this in the best path.
“We’re just living by the protocol and what the doctors’ opinions are,” Kafka mentioned.
Dart’s lack of ability to clear the protocol raises plenty of questions.
Begin with the soccer: It’s now honest to ask whether or not Dart may sit out the Giants’ ultimate recreation earlier than their bye week, as properly, on Dec. 1 in opposition to the New England Patriots on Monday Night time Soccer.
Which is what that Patriots recreation will likely be. One thing to consider.
The extra severe and essential questions are about Dart’s well being.
First, why will the NFL and the NFL Gamers’ Affiliation not reveal if there was any accountability for the mishandling of Dart’s Nov. 9 concussion in Chicago throughout Brian Daboll’s ultimate recreation as head coach?
The NFL gamers’ affiliation had no remark.
The truth that there isn’t a formal investigation occurring seems to point that the league and union don’t blame the Giants for any impropriety for placing an clearly debilitated Dart again within the recreation after he hit his head on the bottom, fumbled and didn’t attain out for the ball whereas he lied quickly immobile on the grass.
So if something, there may very well be repercussions for the NFL’s concussion spotter and unaffiliated neurological consultants at Soldier Subject that day, however the league and union received’t touch upon the findings of their overview.
So there isn’t a accountability there, simply secrecy, however the NFL shouts participant suspensions from the rooftops with press releases? Make it make sense.
Kafka is tiptoeing across the concussion challenge, most likely partly as a response to how poorly Daboll dealt with it. The interim head coach consistently stresses how a lot “respect” and “trust” he has within the medical group.
But it surely’s clear this is a matter that requires extra schooling.
Offensive coordinator Tim Kelly was requested on Thursday if the Giants must take into consideration that Dart is coming off a concussion when creating Sunday’s recreation plan, if he have been to be cleared.
Kelley mentioned: “Yeah. I mean, you definitely take it into account. It’s no different than if someone was coming off a sprained ankle, you know what I mean? Got to make sure that you’re not exposing people unnecessarily, and, again, putting our team in a position to win the game.”
A sprained ankle? No. That is clearly a a lot completely different well being challenge.
One other query, truly, about Dart’s concussion: The Giants returned him to the sector and to exercises final Friday, Nov. 14, solely 5 days after his concussion in Chicago. And now he’s unable to cross the protocol per week later.
Does that imply the Giants and their medical employees put Dart via bodily exercise too quickly? Hopefully not.
Dart was stretching on the follow area Friday with the remainder of the group, so he was on the grass. And Kafka mentioned he had taken some first-team reps this week. But it surely stays to be seen the place this goes.
Somebody within the leakiest constructing within the league had the audacity to level the finger at Dart whereas calling frequent designed quarterback runs and leaving him in throughout rubbish time of video games and operating him to pad stats.
Surprise if there will likely be one other leak this weekend that Dart must be safer about how he runs in follow?
Possibly they need to simply make the accountable resolution and maintain him out throughout a misplaced season as a result of that’s what’s greatest for his well being and his future.
Good job by the docs on Friday. They saved the Giants from themselves.
LIONS ABOUT TO FEAST
Nook Paulson Adebo (knee), edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux (shoulder) and tight finish Thomas Fidone II (foot) have been all dominated out on Friday. Fidone is on crutches together with his left foot in a boot, so his harm seems like it’s long-term. The Giants (2-9) have misplaced 5 straight video games. It’s about to be six after they play the Lions (6-4) at Ford Subject.
