New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart stated he was "puzzled" after being sent to the blue medical tent for evaluation following a hit during Saturday's preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings. The quarterback was tackled by Vikings safety Jay Ward in the first quarter.
Dart has faced pressure to slide more frequently when running the ball due to hits taken during his rookie season. However, he expressed that this particular instance felt beyond his control. "As far as the blue tent, I really respect the rules and the thought behind the NFL has of keeping players healthy and reviewing things, but 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," Dart told reporters. "Which at times, I still try to wrap my head around, but that’s all that I’m going to say about that situation. I’m really happy with how the drive ended."
Giants head coach John Harbaugh also conveyed surprise regarding the quarterback's visit to the tent. "Honestly, I was. Honestly, I was. But I would say that their job is to err on the side of player safety, so I can't argue with that either," Harbaugh said.
The incident occurred as Ward delivered a significant hit after breaking through the Giants' offensive line. Despite the blue tent visit, Dart returned to the game and threw a touchdown pass to begin the second quarter. The Vikings ultimately won the preseason matchup 13-10.
Despite the hit, the focus for Giants fans remains on Dart's decision-making when scrambling, particularly his tendency to avoid sliding. The game highlighted the need for the Giants to address various issues as they prepare for the upcoming season.