Giants eye better ways to protect Jaxson Dart when he returns
Jaxson Dart of the Giants looks on during the first half against the Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Credit: Jim McIsaac
The Jameis Winston experiment brought mixed results Sunday. A solid performance yet the veteran quarterback contributed to another Giants defeat with his late interception.
All eyes turn back to Jaxson Dart, who remains in concussion protocol. Interim head coach Mike Kafka said Monday that he didn’t have an update on his timeline ahead of practice resuming Wednesday.
“I’m just going to see that through, talk with the medical staff] and when they give us the thumbs-up, then we’ll take the next action,” Kafka said Monday.
The plan shifts to how to better protect Dart after his first documented concussion. It came after the rookie was evaluated in the blue medical tent for the fourth time going back to preseason.
An ESPN report on Sunday said Dart was shown video clips by quarterbacks coach Shea Tierney of other quarterbacks running to better demonstrate how to balance fighting for yards versus avoiding hits. Kafka confirmed that’s been part of Dart’s education.
It’s one thing for the Giants to encourage his fearlessness and trust his decision making. But now that Dart has been sidelined, the message needs to be clearer: Be yourself but be smart. That’s something both parties have to manage to get the most out of what they hope is a long-term partnership.
For Dart, it’s a battle between being confident in his ability and understanding self-preservation. He’s learning how to navigate both and it’s still a process going against his instincts.
“That’s definitely something that when you watch the tape back on, you try to think of those moments where you can save your body, a hit or not,” Dart said on Nov. 5. “At the same time, it’s really hard for me in those moments because I just want to compete.”
Kafka said they don’t want to limit Dart or have him play timid. Like former coach Brian Daboll, they trust Dart’s decision making but now it’s about showing him how to think different while being true to his playing style.
“He’s an aggressive player and that’s what we love about him,” Kafka said. “But obviously you want to show him some examples that he can learn from. I think he’s going through that now. I think he’ll continue to grow from those things.”
Kafka also has to be mindful about calling so many designed runs. Per ESPN, Dart has been hit 84 times since his debut in Week 4, the second-most of any quarterback during that stretch.
Some of it is on Dart to slide more, and he did so against the Bears. It’s also the responsibility of the coaches to utilize him better.
The Giants might have found help with that Sunday. They ran the ball as well as they’ve done since rookie Cam Skattebo was injured in Week 8. Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary combined to run for 132 yards on 35 carries.
That plan could help Dart if he returns against the Lions this week. But whatever the Giants dial up Sunday in Detroit, it behooves them and Dart to take strides on being smarter on the field with his health.
“I think he’ll continue to learn and grow but you don’t want to put a player like that in a box,” Kafka said. “Obviously, you want to show him the examples that he can improve on and I think he’ll take that to the bank.”
Neal's days numbered
Prior to Sunday’s loss, offensive lineman Evan Neal was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. Kafka said that Neal was hurt during a workout.
It’s the latest and perhaps final setback for Neal, whose tenure has been disappointing since being drafted as the No. 7 pick in 2022. Neal hasn’t played in a game all season and before he got hurt, he was a healthy scratch among the inactives for all but one game.
Neal is an impending free agent after the Giants declined his fifth-year option this past April.
Adebo sidelined again
Cornerback Paulson Adebo (knee) was ruled out Sunday after pregame warmups. Kafka said Adebo went through his pregame routine and said he didn’t feel good. He told team doctors, who recommended he not play.
Kafka said he didn’t know the severity of the injury, which has kept Adebo out for four straight games.
Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
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