Jameis Winston to Start for Giants After Jaxson Dart's Season-Ending Knee Surgery
Veteran quarterback steps in as the Giants face a significant setback with their second-year player out for the remainder of the 2026 season.
The New York Giants will turn to veteran quarterback Jameis Winston for the rest of the 2026 season following season-ending knee surgery for second-year player Jaxson Dart. The team announced the difficult news on Wednesday, casting a shadow over their playoff aspirations.
Winston, 32, took over ineffectively for the final three quarters of Monday's 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Despite the performance, Giants coach John Harbaugh stated that Winston is the team's starting quarterback moving forward. "The only way is forward for us with Jameis as our quarterback," offensive lineman Jon Runyan Jr. told The Post's Steve Serby. "Everybody has full faith and trust in Jameis to get this thing going the way we still expect it to."
Harbaugh acknowledged the possibility of Dart returning for the playoffs if the Giants can qualify without him. The team also plans to explore options for bringing in another quarterback through signing or trade to bolster the depth chart, but Winston will retain the starting role.
Dart, a 2025 first-round pick, sustained the injury to his left knee, requiring surgery. The timeline for his recovery could potentially allow him to return for postseason play, should the Giants advance. The team's performance without their promising young quarterback will be closely watched as they navigate the remainder of the regular season.
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