In Monday night’s game, where the New York Giants fell 33-15 to the New England Patriots, quarterback Jaxson Dart suffered a hard hit near the sideline in the first quarter. Despite the possibility of going out of bounds to avoid the hit and get fewer yards, Dart stated that he wouldn’t change anything. The incident occurred after Dart missed two previous games due to a concussion and was evaluated for concussions in four of the previous eight games.
Dart explained that, on the second and 13 play, he tried to advance to get the first down before being hit by Christian Elliss, which sent him flying. The hit was considered legal, as Dart was still on the field. The interim coach, Mike Kafka, had no issues with his quarterback’s action, even if it resulted in a hard hit.No, I don’t understand the question, but this is football. I’m going to get hit, whether in the protection pocket or outside of it. I’ve played like this my whole life. It shouldn’t surprise anyone who has followed my career.
Jaxson Dart
Theo Johnson, tight end, immediately defended his quarterback, receiving a 15-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness. The actions that caused him concussions, both in Chicago and New England, will not alter his way of thinking.Jaxson DartObviously, we don’t want him to take unnecessary hits, but he was trying to get out of bounds.
Mike Kafka
Some teammates would prefer that he avoided the hits he took in the first quarter.
Fortunately for Dart and the Giants, the quarterback reported that he felt good after Monday night’s game. He recovered from Elliss’s hard hit and immediately returned to the group. The actions that caused him concussions, both in Chicago and New England, will not alter his way of thinking.Jaxson DartDart’s offensive line also came out in his defense.Greg Van RotenDart assured that he did not modify his playing style upon returning from the concussion, and that playing with more caution was not a priority for him. In the game, he completed 17 of 24 passes for 139 yards, with one touchdown and no interceptions, running four times for 20 yards. He was not satisfied with his performance.I told him before [on Monday], be smart, protect yourself. Obviously, he’s not going to listen because he’s very competitive and loves contact. That’s just him. We’ll have to keep talking to him. Maybe he’ll listen to us someday.
Jon Runyan
This defeat marked the seventh consecutive for the Giants and the thirteenth consecutive away defeat, counting from last season. Dart insisted that he maintained his usual aggressive style on Monday night. The Giants (2-11) kept him in the game even when they were losing by three touchdowns with just over two minutes left.It wasn’t enough because we lost.
Jaxson Dart
The Giants adjusted their strategy in Monday night’s game. In the game where Dart was injured the previous month, they used him in six designed runs, but there were no designed runs on Monday.As I said, I played like this my whole life. Watch my high school videos, watch my college videos, it’s not a surprise to anyone. This is how I’ve played. I feel like if you just watch the game, I slid. I avoided a lot of hits, but you’re going to get hit. It’s football.
Jaxson Dart
Some teammates would prefer that he avoided the hits he took in the first quarter.
Fortunately for Dart and the Giants, the quarterback reported that he felt good after Monday night’s game. He recovered from Elliss’s hard hit and immediately returned to the group. The actions that caused him concussions, both in Chicago and New England, will not alter his way of thinking.Jaxson DartI told him before [on Monday], be smart, protect yourself. Obviously, he’s not going to listen because he’s very competitive and loves contact. That’s just him. We’ll have to keep talking to him. Maybe he’ll listen to us someday.
Jon Runyan
