New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart was taken to the blue medical tent for evaluation during the team’s preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday. Dart was sacked twice in the first half, including a hit by Vikings safety Jay Ward that prompted the evaluation.
Dart returned to the game after the assessment and threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Malachi Fields in the second quarter. The Giants lost 13-10.
Giants head coach John Harbaugh acknowledged surprise at Dart’s evaluation but supported the NFL’s emphasis on player safety. “Their job is to err on the side of player safety, so I can’t argue with that either,” Harbaugh said.
Dart addressed the medical protocol in a postgame press conference, stating he respected the NFL’s intent but remained “puzzled” by the frequency of evaluations. “As far as the blue tent, I really respect the rules and the thought behind what the NFL has of keeping players healthy and reviewing things,” Dart said. “At the same time, I’m still puzzled by it just feeling like every time that I get hit, I find my way in there.”
The Giants also utilized backup quarterbacks Brandon Allen and Jameis Winston during the game. Allen threw two interceptions, while Winston completed 8 of 9 passes for 89 yards. Dart finished 3 of 4 for 26 yards and one touchdown.
The preseason loss comes as the Giants prepare for the regular season, with concerns about Dart’s durability and decision-making under pressure. Dart’s tendency to take off running has drawn scrutiny, though the Vikings’ untouched blitz on Saturday left him with limited options.