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Jaxson Dart Still Eyes Playoff Return, but J.J. McCarthy Gives Giants No Reason to Rush
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- Jaxson Dart Still Eyes Playoff Return, but J.J. McCarthy Gives Giants No Reason to Rush
J.J. McCarthy's resurgent five-plus quarters as the New York Giants' starting quarterback have made it almost easy to forget he is filling in for franchise quarterback Jaxson Dart
Giants general manager Joe Schoen said Tuesday that Dart is still on crutches following last month's surgery to repair a torn meniscus and MCL in his left knee, which also sustained PCL damage
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Dart sustained the season-ending injury in the Giants' 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 21. The Giants (4-2-1) have gone 3-1-1 since Dart went down, including their 27-21 overtime win over the Houston Texans on Sunday, where McCarthy led New York to a win in his first start in a Giants uniform.
Jaxson Dart Is Still Hoping to Return for the Playoffs
When the Giants announced the severity of Dart's injury, they held out hope that he'd return if they made the playoffs. Now that the playoffs are looking plausible, Dart still hopes he'll be on the field, starting for the Giants in January.
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"He still thinks if we make the playoffs, that he's going to be able to come back. That's just the kid's mindset," Schoen said with a laugh.
But Schoen's laughter at Dart potentially being on the field in 12 weeks tells the story. The Giants parted with a 2027 fifth-round pick to acquire McCarthy from the Minnesota Vikings, and considering how McCarthy has played (63.3 completion%, 495 passing yards, one touchdown, one interception), the team can afford to let Dart heal fully rather than rush him back.
"He's doing the best he can. I know it's tough for him," Schoen said of Dart. "He's back in the quarterbacks meeting, so he's still around. He's not weight-bearing yet, but he's staying as positive as he can."
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Joe Schoen Thinks the Giants' Quarterback Room is 'One of the Stronger Ones' in the NFL
The trio of Dart, McCarthy and Jameis Winston includes a variety of personalities, but each has had a hand in helping the Giants win at least one game this season.
"It's a really good room. I would say it's probably one of the stronger ones in the league," Schoen said. "To have two young guys in Jaxson and J.J. that both [are] talented players, is a good position to be in."
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The Giants may have a decision on their hands when Dart gets healthy, especially if McCarthy continues to play the way he has. Other general managers have punted the decision, including John Lynch of the San Francisco 49ers, who hasn't traded backup Mac Jones despite the fact he is clearly the No. 2 behind MVP candidate Brock Purdy.
But Dart has missed at least two games due to injury in each of his first two NFL seasons, and Schoen was "impressed" by McCarthy's efficiency in Houston.
"Hopefully J.J. can continue to play at a high level," Schoen said. "He did a really good job on Sunday. I was impressed with how he played."
This story was originally published by Athlon on Oct 27, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
