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‘An ongoing conversation’

By STEPHEN WHYNO and GREG BEACHAM - Associated Press | Sep 22, 2026

NEW YORK — Jaxson Dart’s injured left knee is being evaluated and no decisions have been made, New York Giants coach John Harbaugh said Tuesday in the aftermath of the starting quarterback exiting the game at the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night.

Harbaugh refused to confirm reports that Dart’s injury is worse than the initial diagnosis of a sprained medial collateral ligament and that the 23-year-old would be out an extended period of time, with season-ending surgery a possibility.

“We’ve learned a lot more,” Harbaugh said on a video call with reporters. “When we know what direction we’re going to have to go or whatever it might be, we’ll announce that. But we don’t have that yet, so I don’t want to get out over our skis on that.”

After the 28-6 loss, Harbaugh said it was “in the neighborhood” and that an MRI would lead to more information. He was unwilling to share where the Giants were in the testing and evaluating process on Dart, the former Roy High quarterback.

“It’s an ongoing conversation about the health of a player, of a person,” Harbaugh said. “We’ve got to prepare for the range of possibilities, and then once we know where we’re at, make a plan going forward. And that’s what we’re going to do.”

Dart was 3 of 5 passing before getting injured on the first drive at LA. He threw for three touchdowns, had 230 yards passing and 54 rushing in a season-opening victory against Dallas.

The Giants have not had a QB start every game of a season since Eli Manning in 2018. That dubious streak looks to continue, with Jameis Winston is expected to step in for however long Dart is out. Winston was 11 of 27 for 111 yards in relief during the Rams game.

It is difficult to envision New York contending for a playoff spot without Dart.

“It’s an important position, obviously,” Harbaugh said.

After beating the Cowboys, it looked as if Harbaugh’s first season in charge could exceed expectations. Now it is about teaching and building toward the future.

In addition to Dart, edge rusher Brian Burns sprained his left ankle and starting left tackle Andrew Thomas limped off with a groin injury. No. 1 receiver Malik Nabers said he popped his right shoulder back into place but would be getting further tests.

RAMS 28, GIANTS 6

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The Los Angeles Rams’ dismal season opener in Australia and their proliferating injury woes were nothing Davante Adams and Matthew Stafford couldn’t overcome back home with a vintage performance against the Giants.

And after New York lost Dart on the opening drive, it didn’t stand a chance.

Adams made eight catches for 195 yards and hauled in two of Stafford’s four touchdown passes, and the Rams welcomed Aaron Donald back to the NFL with a 28-6 victory Monday night.

Stafford passed for 327 yards for the Rams (1-1), who capitalized after the Giants (1-1) lost Dart to a left knee injury on their seventh snap. Los Angeles outgained New York with 481 yards to 182, even overcoming two turnovers in a swagger-restoring blowout.

“This team, we got to the confidence level that we’re at because of the work we put in, and we’re not going to put any governors on what we can do here,” said Adams, who had the fourth-highest yardage total of his 13-year career. “If you’re trying to be great, be a Super Bowl-caliber team, you’ve got to hold yourself to a high standard. We can do even a little bit better than what we did, but this is on track with what we’re capable of.”

The Rams played without injured All-Pros Puka Nacua and Myles Garrett, but Stafford and Adams were in top form while the preseason Super Bowl favorites rebounded competently from last week’s 27-7 debacle of a Week 1 loss to the 49ers.

Adams’ catches and yards were both his best performances in a Rams uniform, while league MVP Stafford moved into sixth in NFL history with his 426th career TD pass, topping Philip Rivers when Adams adroitly tracked down an 11-yard fade in the third quarter.

“(Adams) was special, and it showed all night,” coach Sean McVay said. “I thought he made some great plays, but you can see there’s a lot of trust he and Matthew have. It’s only going to continue to build, and I was really happy for him.”

Jameis Winston went 11 of 27 for 111 yards with an interception in place of Dart, who left the field shakily after taking a huge hit from Byron Young and Josaiah Stewart. The second-year quarterback, who looked great in last week’s win over Dallas, watched the second half in a tracksuit.

Winston and the Giants’ offense couldn’t get much going after Dart’s exit. Winston threw an end-zone interception to Trent McDuffie in the second quarter, and New York managed only a field goal after Jevon Holland forced and recovered a fumble at the Los Angeles 11 right before halftime, with Donald stuffing Najee Harris on a classic third-down tackle.

“No excuses,” said running back Cam Skattebo, who managed only 36 yards on 12 carries. “They outperformed us, they out-executed us, and we just need to go back to the film room and fix some things.”

The night was a milestone for Donald, who had three tackles for the Rams while completing his comeback with his first NFL game action in 32 months. The three-time AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year, who skipped the Week 1 trip to Melbourne, got wild cheers from Rams fans at every opportunity at SoFi Stadium.

“It felt really good to be back, coming out, being embraced how I was,” Donald said. “I think the defense played great. Felt like we played how we’re supposed to play.”

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