Jaxson Dart out for regular season as Giants turn to Winston

October 5 update: McCarthy active in Week 4

J.J. McCarthy dressed for New York’s October 4 win over Arizona. Jameis Winston remained the starter. The earlier physical-contingent trade announcement below is retained as history.

October 1 update: regular-season absence confirmed

Jaxson Dart will miss the rest of the 2026 regular season after the knee injury he suffered against the Rams on September 21. John Harbaugh confirmed the absence after the following Wednesday’s practice, and the Giants placed Dart on injured reserve on September 24.

The confirmation supersedes the earlier uncertainty about whether his injury would lead to a prolonged absence. Harbaugh left any possibility beyond the regular season dependent on Dart’s recovery; no playoff return has been promised.

Winston has taken over

Jameis Winston started the September 27 game against Tennessee and helped New York win 12-7. He completed 14 of 22 passes for 118 yards without a turnover. The Giants’ offense remains a work in progress, but the starting-quarterback transition has already happened.

New York also reached a September 28 deal to acquire J.J. McCarthy from Minnesota for a 2027 fifth-round draft pick. The trade was announced as pending a physical, and Harbaugh said Winston remained the starter.

How the situation changed

Dart was hurt on the opening drive against Los Angeles, and Winston finished that game in relief. Initial reports left the length of the absence unsettled. The later confirmation established that New York must plan without Dart for the remaining regular-season games.