Giants QB Jaxson Dart is expected to undergo knee surgery and miss the entire 2026 season. He solicited multiple opinions and surgery should allow his MCL and meniscus to make a full recovery. It was noted that Dart’s ACL was intact and not injured. QB Jameis Winston will start for the Giants for the foreseeable future.
What They're Saying: ACL Intact, Season Over
Ian Rapoport, NFL.com: “Giants QB Jaxson Dart is expected to have knee surgery that will lead to a full recovery but end his 2026 season, sources told me and Mike Garafolo. Dart has been soliciting opinions on the injury. And the ACL is intact. But surgery is coming.”
2026 Fantasy Football Impact: Nabers and Likely Stay Viable
A season ending injury certainly is a bummer, but it makes sense for the Giants to be cautious with Dart long term given that they are still rebuilding.
His absence puts Winston in control of New York's offense. He struggled in relief of Dart vs. the Rams, completing just 11 of 27 passes for 111 yards, 0 TDs, and 1 INT. Still, Winston has a much longer track record of capable, if sporadic, play. Between 2024 with the Browns and 2025 with the Giants, he posted a 60.2% completion rate, 7.4 yards per attempt, and a 4.1% TD rate. For his career, Winston has averaged 7.6 yards per attempt with a 4.8% TD rate.
The Giants will remain run-leaning with Winston under center, but the passing game should stay productive enough to support WR Malik Nabers and TE Isaiah Likely.
Even with a favorable upcoming schedule, Winston is only worth adding for now in 2-QB and superflex leagues:
- vs. Titans
- vs Cardinals
- at Commanders
- vs. Saints
