EAST RUTHERFORD - Jaxson is back in action.
New York Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart has cleared concussion protocol and is expected to start Monday night against the New England Patriots. He will return to the lineup as QB1 after missing the last two games, and for the first time, Dart will play with someone other than Brian Daboll as his head coach in the pros.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDart was placed in concussion protocol after being evaluated early in the fourth quarter of the Giants' 24-20 loss to the Bears in Chicago on Nov. 9. With Dart on the sideline and Russell Wilson at the helm of the offense, the Giants blew a 20-10 lead with 3:58 remaining, leading to Daboll's firing the next morning.
Dart was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, advancing to the final stage of the NFL's concussion protocol. He was examined by the independent neurological consultant assigned to the Giants by the league and cleared, the Giants announced Thursday.
Dart traveled with the team to Detroit for last Sunday's eventual 34-27 overtime loss to the Lions, even after he was ruled out following three consecutive non-contact practices during which he was limited. He did not suffer a setback in protocol, but also did not advance until Wednesday.
From a football perspective, according to teammates and coaches, Dart looked ready to return against the Lions. He took most of the reps with the first-team offense, and Jameis Winston did not find out he would be the starter Sunday until Friday when it was determined Dart was not ready for a full contact practice.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe medical aspects of concussion protocol forced Dart and the Giants to wait another week.
Now Dart is in line to square off against Drake Maye and the surging Patriots in front of a national television audience in a prime-time stand-alone game.
The Giants (2-10), losers of six straight and a franchise-worst 12 consecutive road games, are scheduled to return to practice Friday and Saturday after an off day on Thanksgiving.
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart warms up for practice Wednesday in East Rutherford, NJ.Jaxson Dart: How we got here
Dart has appeared in nine games with seven starts this season, completing 62.7% of his passes for 1,417 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions. The former Ole Miss star has emerged as one of the NFL's best runners as well, rushing for 317 yards and seven touchdowns.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHe is the first rookie quarterback in NFL history to run for a touchdown in five consecutive games, and he's tied for the third most rushing TDs for a rookie quarterback in league history since 1950.
The unpredictability of concussion protocol often leads teams to remain cautious in establishing a hard-fast deadline and declaring players ready to play because the ultimate call is not in their hands. And if symptoms were to resurface at any point, the five-step process in the league-mandated concussion protocol would start over again.
Not long ago - last month actually - Drake Maye was at the center of the same conversation in New England. Now? He's one of the front runners for NFL MVP, leading a resurgence for the Patriots under Mike Vrabel to the top of the AFC with a 9-2 record.
Maye was back in practice days later and did not miss a game. He was also evaluated for a concussion in late December against the Chargers.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNo two concussions are the same, just as no two quarterbacks are the same. But as with Maye, there’s no question one of Dart's superpowers early in his career is how great he is on the move.
He threatens defenses with his ability to run, and that often comes with leaving himself open to absorbing punishment downfield. Sometimes, playing smarter, if not harder, means not fighting for extra yards.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Jaxson Dart clears concussion protocol, will start Monday against Pats
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