Jaxson Dart Avoids Season-Ending Knee Injury After Scary Exit Against Rams

The New York Giants suffered a 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football in a game where they looked outmatched from the beginning.

But for the vast majority of that contest, Giants fans had little concern about the score itself. What was top of mind was the status of franchise quarterback Jaxson Dart, one of the best young players in the NFL, who exited on the Giants' opening possession after taking a hard hit to his left knee while attempting a pass on third down.

There were real questions about whether Dart could miss extended time, which could effectively derail what had been a hopeful season for New York. But good news has since surfaced. According to reports, Dart is believed to have suffered a sprained MCL, with X-rays coming back negative. And while he'll undergo an MRI on Tuesday to determine the severity, early indications point to the injury not being season-ending.

Giants Avoid Worst-Case Scenario With Jaxson Dart

Considering how the injury looked, that's a very positive initial diagnosis. If this were the end of Dart's season, it could effectively be the end of the Giants' season as well. As good as Jameis Winston is for a backup quarterback, this roster isn't talented enough around him for New York to realistically have the same ceiling without Dart.

Until the MRI, though, it's unclear exactly how much time he'll miss.

Jameis Winston Will Look to Keep Giants Afloat

Although it appears Dart avoided a season-ending injury, the reality is he could still miss time. So Winston, just as he did Monday night, will be the quarterback tasked with keeping the Giants afloat in the playoff race for however long Dart is sidelined.

His season debut was rough. Winston completed 11 of 27 passes for 111 yards and an interception as New York struggled to generate offense after Dart's injury. But Winston is capable of producing points. He's certainly turnover-prone, but he also has a strong arm and isn't afraid to push the ball downfield.

From here, the Giants will wait for Tuesday's MRI to determine the next steps.