In the opening quarter of Monday night’s NFL contest, the New York Giants saw two of their key offensive players exit the field with injuries. Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart was knocked down on the team’s first drive, while wide receiver Malik Nabers was forced to the sideline late in the same quarter.
Jaxson Dart’s knee injury
On the Giants’ first series, third‑and‑8, Rams linebacker Byron Young closed in on Dart from the quarterback’s right side. The contact drove Dart into fellow linebacker Josaiah Stewart, who undercut his legs and sent him crashing onto the turf. Dart managed to get to his feet and walked gingerly to the sideline under his own power before heading straight to the medical tent for evaluation.
At the time of the injury, Dart was 3‑of‑5 passing for 20 yards. After the assessment, the Giants announced that his return was questionable. Veteran quarterback Jameis Winston stepped in to lead the ensuing drive.
Malik Nabers’ shoulder strain
Later in the quarter, wide receiver Malik Nabers was involved in a play with Rams cornerback Trent McDuffie. Nabers was targeted on a first‑down pass, but after the catch he immediately clutched his right shoulder and limped to the sideline, visibly in pain. Trainers examined him on the field, and he remained on the bench while the Giants worked to close a 14‑0 deficit.
Despite the discomfort, Nabers was able to return later in the game, working with a trainer and moving his arm as the Giants prepared for subsequent offensive possessions.
Season context for the Giants
Dart entered his second season after being selected 25th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he appeared in 14 games, starting 12, and posted 2,272 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, five interceptions, along with 487 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns. His most productive outing came in the season opener, a 28‑20 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in which he threw three touchdowns without an interception.
Jameis Winston, the 11‑year veteran who was drafted first overall in 2015 and has previously played for the Buccaneers, Saints and Browns, contributed two starts and three appearances for the Giants in 2025, recording 567 passing yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Impact on the game
The Rams built a 14‑0 lead before the injuries occurred, and the Giants struggled to mount a comeback without their starting quarterback. While Winston provided a temporary boost, the loss of Dart’s mobility and Nabers’ receiving threat limited the Giants’ offensive options for the remainder of the contest.
Both players are expected to undergo further medical evaluation. The team’s medical staff will determine the timeline for Dart’s knee recovery and Nabers’ shoulder treatment, with the goal of having both athletes back in the lineup as soon as safely possible.
Looking ahead
The Giants will need to adjust their game plan in the coming weeks as they await updates on Dart’s and Nabers’ health. Their next matchup will test the depth of the roster and the ability of veteran players like Winston to lead the offense while the younger talent recovers.
Original reporting: KOCO Sports (Oklahoma City) — read the source article.
