New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart and wide receiver Malik Nabers both sustained injuries during the first quarter of Monday night’s game against the Los Angeles Rams on September 21, 2026. Dart exited with a left knee injury and was labeled questionable to return after taking a hit from Rams defenders.
Quarterback Jaxson Dart sustained an apparent knee injury on a third-and-8 play while attempting a deep pass under heavy pressure. Young initiated contact high, driving Dart downward while Stewart undercut his path, causing the quarterback’s left knee to bend awkwardly as he fell.
Dart remained on the turf in noticeable pain, clutching his knee as medical staff rushed to evaluate him. After an initial examination on the field, he limped gingerly toward the sideline under his own power. He was evaluated inside the medical tent before walking down the sideline toward the locker room. Although a cart was prepared to transport him, he declined the ride and walked slowly off the field, accompanied by team personnel.
Jameis Winston Steps In as Giants Offense Shifts
Veteran backup Jameis Winston entered the game in relief of Dart following a punt on the stalled opening possession. Before exiting, Dart completed 3 of 5 passes for 20 yards. Winston, an 11-year NFL veteran drafted first overall in 2015, appeared in three games and started two for the Giants during the 2025 season, throwing for 567 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Behind Winston, rookie Ty Simpson serves as the team’s emergency third quarterback, awaiting his first professional regular-season appearance if needed. Dart had started his second NFL campaign brightly, orchestrating a Week 1 win over the Dallas Cowboys where he completed 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns without an interception.
Malik Nabers Suffers Shoulder Injury Amid First-Quarter Chaos
The injury trouble deepened two possessions after Dart’s departure when wide receiver Malik Nabers sustained a shoulder injury while competing for a contested ball against Rams cornerback Trent McDuffie. Nabers doubled over in pain near the sideline and was attended to by trainers before receiving a questionable designation. The second-year wideout had just returned to action following an ACL tear that cut short his 2025 season, recording one catch for 1 yard against the Rams with New York trailing 7-0.
While Nabers briefly exited to the sideline, subsequent reports noted that he later returned to action, offering a measure of relief for an offense suddenly grappling with multiple health concerns among its star players. The status of Dart, however, remains a central question for New York as medical evaluations continue.
Diagnostic Evaluations and Outlook for New York
Initial reports from the stadium indicated that Dart was transported by cart to another area of the facility for further examination, with early indications pointing toward X-rays. Broadcasting updates noted that the quarterback did not head immediately into the imaging room upon entering the locker room complex, offering a window of cautious optimism regarding the severity of the joint damage.
Should Dart be forced to miss extended time, the Giants possess a stretch of games on the upcoming schedule against the Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, and Washington Commanders. For now, the team has officially listed Dart as questionable to return, leaving Winston to command the offense as Monday Night Football continues.