Dart Shakes Off Big Hit, Returns to Lead Giants Past Vikings in Preseason

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart absorbed a brutal collision during Saturday’s preseason matchup against the Minnesota Vikings that left him temporarily motionless on the field. Medical personnel and trainers immediately attended to the quarterback, prompting concern about a potential concussion and triggering a sideline evaluation in the blue medical tent.

The incident marked another safety assessment for Dart, who faced five separate evaluations during the 2025 regular season, resulting in one confirmed concussion that sidelined him for two games. Despite the severity of the hit, team physicians cleared the quarterback to continue playing after determining he had simply had the wind knocked out of him.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh expressed confidence in returning Dart to action and indicated surprise the quarterback was sent for evaluation initially, though he acknowledged the medical staff’s obligation to prioritize player safety. Harbaugh attributed the hit partly to inadequate blocking from running back Tyrone Tracy, who failed to pick up the blitz effectively on the play.

Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, known for aggressive blitzing schemes, unleashed multiple exotic defensive looks that caught the Giants’ offense off-guard in their season opener. Flores remains embroiled in an ongoing discrimination lawsuit against the Giants and other organizations dating back to 2022, allegations the team has firmly denied.

Dart rebounded from the collision to throw a 15-yard touchdown pass against Minnesota’s defense, demonstrating resilience despite frustration with repeated medical evaluations. The quarterback acknowledged respect for NFL concussion protocols while expressing puzzlement over his frequent trips to the evaluation tent.