Jaxson Dart Faces Possible Season-Ending Surgery as NFL Injury Toll Mounts
The New York Giants could lose quarterback Jaxson Dart for the season, one of several serious injuries to emerge from a damaging second week of the NFL season.
Dart's knee injury is worse than first believed, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, and season-ending surgery is a possibility. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo report that he will miss a significant period regardless of whether he requires an operation.
A Promising Start Cut Short
The injury happened early in Monday night's 28-6 defeat to the Los Angeles Rams, when Byron Young and Josaiah Stewart caught Dart's left knee between them. He lasted seven snaps before leaving, replaced by Jameis Winston.
It had not looked serious at the time. The initial assessment suggested his season was not under threat, and the diagnosis worsened on Tuesday.
The timing is difficult for a club that had started the season with real optimism. Dart, a first-round pick in 2025, had dismantled Dallas in the opener, completing 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns in a 28-20 win that made him look like a long-term answer at the position.
No Timeline for Reed
Green Bay are facing a more worrying situation with wide receiver Jayden Reed, whose availability for the rest of the season is uncertain.
Reed was hurt on the Packers' opening drive against the New York Jets on Sunday, taking a hit to the head and neck area at the end of a four-yard gain on a swing pass. He was immobilised on a backboard, carted from the field and taken to a New Jersey hospital, where he stayed overnight for observation. He had movement in all his extremities.
"Doing much better," Reed posted afterwards. "Appreciate all the prayers and support."
He returned to Green Bay on Tuesday and is undergoing a series of tests. Head coach Matt LaFleur, who clarified that the injury is to the neck despite the club listing it as a back problem, refused to speculate on a return.
"It's way too early for that right now," LaFleur said. "He's got a lot going on."
Reed, who signed a three-year extension worth $50.25 million in April, is expected to be ruled out of Thursday's game against Atlanta. He lasted two offensive snaps against the Jets and has four catches for 24 yards this season. He also missed a significant portion of last season after being injured in Week 2.
The same Packers drive cost them right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele, who was carted off with an air cast on his leg and has since been ruled out for the season with a torn patellar tendon. Green Bay still won 20-17 in overtime.
Quarterbacks Under Pressure Elsewhere
Washington are without Jayden Daniels after he dislocated his left elbow on the final play of the first half against Dallas, the same joint he dislocated last season. His MRI has been passed to specialists and Marcus Mariota will start against Seattle.
Chicago may be down to a third-choice quarterback. Caleb Williams is week to week with a hamstring strain, and backup Tyson Bagent has entered the concussion protocol, leaving Case Keenum as a possible starter against Philadelphia.
Atlanta have placed cornerback A.J. Terrell on injured reserve with a groin injury, ruling him out for at least four games. Colts receiver Alec Pierce is undergoing further tests on a heel problem after X-rays came back negative.
