Jaxson Dart checked off one other milestone Thursday night time on his regular climb towards early common season enjoying time. But it surely didn’t occur and not using a hiccup.
The Giants’ first spherical choose made his first begin as an NFL quarterback within the crew’s preseason finale towards the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium. And he lit off early fireworks with a gap drive landing.
Then the rookie fumbled late within the first quarter and absorbed an enormous hit that prompted the concussion spotter to drag him off the sphere for an analysis. Dart was evaluated for a concussion and was cleared to return to the sideline shortly after, however he didn’t play once more within the recreation.
All of it amounted to an eventful night time for Dart filled with accomplishments and classes realized.
On the opening drive, Dart improvised and hit large receiver Gunner Olszewski for a 50-yard catch and run right down to the Patriots’ 11-yard line. Then he hit tight finish Greg Dulcich up the center for a 7-yard landing reception on third right down to take an early 7-0 lead.
Brian Daboll rested most of his starters after enjoying them within the Giants’ first two preseason video games towards the Payments and Jets. So the coach thrust his first-round rookies Dart and Abdul Carter entrance and heart on Thursday.
Daboll curiously even made Dart and Carter his solely two captains for the sport, despite the fact that loads of veterans took the sphere, as properly.
Dart’s second and third drives resulted in punts. His fourth drive almost ended with a turnover.
Dart scrambled for 23 yards on a 4th and 4 conversion from the Giants’ 45-yard line, however as an alternative of sliding right down to the turf, he tried to juke a defender and take him on. And Patriots linebacker Jack Gibbens punched the ball out as Dart acquired his arm, physique and head slammed to the turf.
New England’s Jabrill Peppers recovered.
The officers eliminated Dart from the sport earlier than the following snap. That’s what occurs when the concussion spotter identifies a participant for analysis. So Dart needed to depart and go into the medical tent.
The Giants acquired the ball again, fortuitously, due to a Patriots defensive holding name on the play. And someway officers counted Dart’s achieve to advance the Giants contained in the 30.
So Dart’s fumble didn’t depend as a turnover. And Jameis Winston promptly changed Dart to hit Jalin Hyatt for a 27-yard landing.
And that’s how Dart’s preseason ended: finishing 6-of-12 passes for 81 yards and a landing, and studying the arduous method that he wants to slip within the execs.
Initially Printed: August 21, 2025 at 8:30 PM EDT
