The New York Giants finally have clarity at quarterback. Rookie Jaxson Dart has officially cleared concussion protocol and is now on track to start Monday night against Mike Vrabel’s New England Patriots, according to NFL reporter Mike Garafolo. It ends a two-week stretch of uncertainty that began when Dart was knocked out of the Giants’ Week 10 loss to the Chicago Bears. The injury raised real concerns about both his availability and the direction of a season that has been slipping for weeks.
Dart entered concussion protocol after the November 9 matchup against the Chicago Bears, where he took repeated hits in the second half and later reported symptoms. The Giants immediately placed him in the league’s five-step protocol and by November 20, Reuters confirmed he still had not been cleared for contact. His timeline became even more scrutinized because the franchise had already been fined earlier this season for a procedural violation during one of his earlier concussion evaluations.
With today’s clearance, the focus shifts sharply to Monday night, where Dart steps into one of the more hostile schematic environments a young quarterback can face. Mike Vrabel’s Patriots are not loaded with household names, but they are brutally disciplined. Their pressure disguises late rotations and hybrid front blitzes have rattled far more experienced quarterbacks this season. Dart will need to process cleanly and avoid holding the ball, which has been one of the habits that the New England consistently punishes.
Before the injury, Dart was beginning to settle in as the Giants’ offensive focal point. In nine games, seven of them starts, he completed 62.7 percent of his passes for 1417 yards, 10 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. He also added 317 rushing yards and 7 rushing touchdowns. That dual-threat ability has been one of the few reliable sparks in an offense that continues to struggle with consistency and rhythm.
Now he returns in a prime time spotlight and in a game that will likely determine whether New York stays alive in the NFC playoff picture. For the Giants, having Dart back is not only about stability. It is about hope. Their offense with him has structure, timing and enough mobility to survive when protection breaks down. Without him the unit has looked disjointed and slow.
The concussion is behind him. The clearance is official. The real test is next. Facing Vrabel, a disciplined defense and the weight of a season that is on the brink. If Dart wants to prove he is the Giants’ long-term answer, Monday night provides the perfect stage.
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