American Football
Giants' QB Jaxson Dart shrugs off big hit vs Patriots: ‘We’re not playing soccer’
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After clearing concussion protocol to return to the field in the Giants' 33-15 loss to the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football, rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart absorbed a heavy shot that led to players being separated on the sidelines.
With the Giants trailing 10-0 in the first quarter, and as he has done so often this season, Dart rolled out to pick up chunk yardage with his legs before being met with force by Patriots' linebacker Christian Elliss.
Dart emerged unscathed, but the incident raises further questions after the Giants reportedly asked Dart to take more care when running the ball following an injury against the Bears in early November, which led to him missing two games.
Responding to questions about Elliss' hit, Dart was defiant, stating, "I'm going to get hit", before adding, "I've played this way my whole entire life."
Offensive Jon Runyan would prefer that Dart take better care, but was resigned to the fact that things may not change.
"I told him earlier, be smart, protect ourselves. Obviously, he's not going to listen because he's just so competitive, loves the contact.
"That's just how he is. We're just going to have to keep talking to him. Maybe he'll listen to us one of these days."
The Giants, now deep into a difficult 2-12 season, have leaned heavily on their young quarterback’s resilience.
But in a season where several of their key players have been forced to miss time, the challenge now is balancing Dart's competitiveness with the reality of the punishment he’s already taken in his first season.
Despite the latest scare and their poor record, the Giants will go into 2026 confident that their talented gunslinger has shown toughness in a season that has thrown him into the deep end far earlier than planned.
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