Phil Simms changes his tune on Jaxson Dart just before Giants QB suffers knee injury vs. Rams
Giants legend Phil Simms says he has come around on second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart, but Dart left Monday night's game against the Los Angeles Rams with an apparent knee injury.
Jaxson Dart wins over a Giants legend, then exits Week 2 with an injury
New York Giants second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart has recently earned praise from franchise legend Phil Simms, who had previously been skeptical of the young passer. But on Monday night against the Los Angeles Rams, Dart went down with a knee injury and left the field.
Speaking on "Schein Time," Simms admitted he "wasn't crazy about" Dart at first but said his opinion has since shifted. Simms praised Dart's ability to throw with both power and touch, his sharp decision-making, and his leadership in the locker room, saying teammates respect him and listen when he speaks. Simms also noted that Dart runs faster in the NFL than he did in college and is elusive when he tucks the ball and takes off.
In the Giants' Week 1 win over the Dallas Cowboys, Dart went 23-for-29 passing for 230 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions, according to the New York Post. Simms credited part of that development to head coach John Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, who have given Dart more control to make checks and calls at the line.
That momentum was interrupted in Week 2's Monday night matchup against the Rams. On the Giants' first drive, while throwing deep on third-and-8, Dart was hit between defenders Byron Young and Josaiah Stewart, with the impact pushing his left knee inward. Dart grabbed at his knee after the play but walked off the field under his own power. He was evaluated in the sideline medical tent before heading to the locker room for further examination, according to both NFL.com and USA Today. At the time of the injury, Dart had completed 3 of 5 passes for 20 yards.
Veteran backup Jameis Winston, 32, took over at quarterback in Dart's absence. Winston is in his second season with the Giants on a two-year, $8 million contract. Dart was listed as questionable to return with a knee injury. He missed two games last season due to a concussion but had otherwise avoided significant injuries early in his career.
