The New York Giants entered the second week of the 2026 NFL season with momentum after opening the campaign with a win over the Dallas Cowboys. They left Los Angeles facing a very different situation.

The Giants lost 28-6 to the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night, but the bigger concern was the injury to starting quarterback Jaxson Dart, who left the game during New York’s opening offensive series after taking a hit that caused his left knee to buckle.

What initially appeared to be a possible medial collateral ligament sprain has since become a more significant concern. Reports following additional testing indicated that Dart could miss an extended period, with season-ending surgery among the possibilities. However, Giants coach John Harbaugh has not publicly confirmed a final diagnosis or timetable and said evaluations were still ongoing.

That uncertainty now hangs over a team preparing for its next game on a shortened week.

Dart’s Injury Changes the Picture

Dart had made an impressive start to the season. In the Giants’ opening-week victory over Dallas, he completed 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. The performance followed a promising rookie campaign in which he threw for 2,272 yards, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions while also contributing 487 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns.

Against the Rams, however, Dart managed only three completions on five attempts for 20 yards before the injury forced him from the game.

Veteran quarterback Jameis Winston took over and played the remainder of the contest. Winston completed 11 of 27 passes for 111 yards and an interception as the Giants struggled to generate consistent offense against a Rams defense that recorded eight quarterback hits and defended 10 passes.

If Dart is unavailable, Winston is positioned to take over the starting role while the Giants determine how they will manage the quarterback position.

The Giants Have Other Injury Concerns

Dart was not the only important Giants player to leave the game with an injury.

Outside linebacker Brian Burns suffered a low ankle sprain, while left tackle Andrew Thomas did not finish the game because of a groin issue. Wide receiver Malik Nabers also injured his shoulder but was able to return during the first half. Cornerback Deonte Banks was already unavailable because of a calf injury.

The number of injuries makes the short turnaround particularly challenging. New York has only a few days to prepare before returning home for a Sunday afternoon matchup with the Tennessee Titans.

Harbaugh has emphasized that the organization will wait for medical evaluations before making decisions about its injured players. He also expressed confidence in Winston's ability to step in if necessary.

A Short Week With Plenty at Stake

The Giants are 1-1 after their first two games, but the circumstances surrounding their record have changed quickly.

Their season began with a comeback victory over Dallas and a strong performance from Dart. One week later, they suffered a heavy defeat while losing several important players to injuries.

The quarterback situation will naturally receive the most attention. Reports that Dart could potentially miss the remainder of the season have raised significant questions about the Giants' plans, but the team has yet to announce a definitive timetable.

For now, New York must prepare for multiple possibilities while also trying to correct what went wrong against Los Angeles. The Giants will host the Titans on Sunday, giving Winston and the rest of the offense an immediate opportunity to adjust if Dart is unable to play.

The coming days should provide greater clarity on Dart's condition. Until the Giants make that determination official, the most important storyline surrounding the team remains unresolved.