New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh suggested that quarterback Jaxson Dart's injury history may have influenced the decision to send him to the medical tent during a preseason loss to the Vikings on Saturday. Dart was evaluated in the second quarter after taking a significant hit from Vikings safety Jay Ward following a missed blitz pickup by running back Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Dart was sacked on the play and stayed down for a few moments. He later expressed confusion about needing to be checked for a potential concussion. "I'm sure it's frustrating," Harbaugh said Sunday. "I'm not going to be critical of the league or whoever's doing that upstairs. They do their job; they want to protect their players. I'm sure history or whatever they might remember, maybe that comes into play."
Harbaugh emphasized that Dart was not being reckless and that the hit resulted from a protection breakdown. "There's no way he should have been hit there," Harbaugh stated. "It just shouldn't have happened. That was a basic protection. Should have been protected and we expect in that situation to be protected in the future."
The Giants lost the game 13-10. In addition to the quarterback situation, running back Dante "Turbo" Miller sustained a soft tissue/groin injury during the game. The team currently has six running backs on its roster.
Harbaugh also addressed a decision not to attempt a 62-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter. After consulting with special teams coordinator Chris Horton, he opted against the kick into the wind, hoping the defense could force a stop. The Vikings ultimately ran out the clock after securing a first down.
Earlier in the game, Harbaugh lost a replay challenge contesting a reception by Jordan Addison. He supported the challenge, initiated by director of Football Data & Innovation Ty Siam, stating, "I was happy with it. I thought the challenge was the right challenge. The ball moved, his hands were on the side, it hit the ground, the ball moved out of his control."