John Harbaugh confirms Giants QB Jaxson Dart to have knee surgery, ending his 'regular season'

Jaxson Dart won’t throw another pass in 2026. The Giants quarterback will undergo knee surgery and miss the rest of the regular season.

It’s the worst-case scenario that stopped Dart’s first full season as a starter. After winning on Sunday Night Football in Week 1, Dart played just seven snaps in Monday’s loss to the Rams before his left knee was injured on a hit by two defenders.

“It’s a big loss for sure,” coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday. “It’s your starting quarterback. It’s a tough loss.”

ESPN reported Wednesday that in addition to an MCL injury, Dart suffered damage to his PCL and meniscus. There was no damage to his ACL.

Yet all the promise for Dart’s second season is gone. The Giants had hoped this would be a year of rebuilding in Harbaugh’s first season and it gets a lot harder without one of their cornerstones.

Harbaugh didn’t say when Dart would have his surgery.

Dart was present at the Giants’ team meeting Wednesday but didn’t address the team. It reminded Harbaugh of having to process receiver Calvin Austin III being lost for the season after suffering a torn ACL during training camp.

“I think he’s determined. He’s bummed,” Harbaugh said of Dart.

“It’s hard. The season’s not over, but it is for him. We talked about that, too. That was part of the deal. It’s like, injuries, there’s a certain mourning that takes place. We had the same thing with Calvin, and even over the years, because you realize how hard it is for the player.”

Dart previously had a meniscus injury while a freshman at USC in 2021 and missed five games.

Jameis Winston will take over as the starting quarterback, beginning Sunday when the Giants host the Titans. He finished Monday’s loss, but expects to play better after getting a full week to prepare.

The Giants signaled their trust in Winston as a capable backup by signing him to a two-year extension last August.

“I had this privilege [for] two games last year, and it truly was an honor,” Winston said. “But for this game alone, my focus is on being my very best, going out there and having elite fundamentals and precise execution — and that’s what it starts with.”

Jake Haener, who’s on the practice squad, is the only other quarterback the Giants have on the roster. Harbaugh said the Giants will look to add another veteran.

Playing Dart has been the team’s best chance to win since he was drafted last year. The Giants were 0-5 in games he didn’t start in 2025, including 0-3 to start the season with Russell Wilson under center.

In his two starts last season, Winston showed the high risks and rewards that defined his career as a former No. 1 overall pick. In his first start, he threw for 201 yards and had an interception in the final minute of a loss to the Packers. He was also sacked on the game’s final play.

In his second start, his play improved, with 366 passing yards and two touchdowns against the Lions. He also caught his first career receiving touchdown on a trick play. Yet the Giants lost both games.

The team will now take that wild ride for the rest of the season.

But, as they move forward, they’re processing what it means to lose Dart and how to push on with their young leader sidelined.

“It’s tough on the team, it’s tough on all of us,” Harbaugh said. “You wake up and you feel like it’s the end of the world and then you wake up and the world’s not done. The world keeps spinning. The games keep getting played. Nobody feels sorry for you. It’s time to go play the next game.”

n Blue notes

Linebacker Brian Burns (low ankle sprain) didn’t participate in Wednesday’s walk-through practice after being injured in Monday’s loss. Harbaugh said Burns is “day-to-day” but ESPN reported that he’s likely to miss time but will avoid surgery. If he doesn’t play Sunday, it will be the first game Burns has missed since joining the Giants in 2024. . . . Andrew Thomas (groin) and Malik Nabers (shoulder) were limited participants. Harbaugh said that Nabers, who returned to play after his injury Monday, is “going to be OK.”