Giants QB Jaxson Dart will have surgery for meniscus, MCL and PCL damage after injuring his left knee against the Rams; his ACL is intact. Jameis Winston takes over through the regular season, while coach John Harbaugh left open a possible postseason return.
Harbaugh’s decision to take the Giants job was strongly influenced by Dart, whom he met for about 45 minutes during the interview process. As a rookie, Dart threw for 2,272 yards, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions, and added 487 rushing yards and nine scores in 14 games.
Winston completed 11 of 27 passes for 111 yards, no touchdowns and one interception in the Giants’ 28-6 loss to the Rams. Harbaugh defended him, saying the team as a whole had not played up to its level. ESPN’s Football Power Index put New York’s playoff chances at 43% after its Week 1 win and 1% after Dart’s injury and the Week 2 loss.
