EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart will undergo surgery on his left knee and sit out the rest of the regular season, coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday.
Harbaugh did not rule out the possibility Dart could return if the Giants were to make the playoffs.
"I think I said it. I said it. Regular season," Harbaugh said of how long Dart would be out. "Other than that, how do you know? It depends on the recovery. You can't pinpoint it."
The postseason begins in a little less than four months.
It still seems optimistic to expect Dart to return at any point this season. Dart's ACL is intact, but the second-year star has damage to his meniscus and MCL that requires the surgery, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Schefter. He also has damage to his PCL, sources told Schefter.
The Giants expect Dart, who suffered the injury to his left knee early in Monday's loss to the Los Angeles Rams, to make a full recovery and be ready for the 2027 season, sources told Rapoport.
Harbaugh declined to specify a date for Dart's surgery, but a source told ESPN that it was expected to happen relatively soon. Dart was at the Giants' facility Wednesday, attending meetings and hanging around the locker room.
"I think he's determined. He's bummed. It's hard," Harbaugh said. "The season is not over, but it is for him. We kind of talked about that [in the team meeting], too. That was part of it. That was part of the deal. With injuries there is a certain mourning that takes place. Had the same thing for Calvin [Austin]. Same thing over the years because you realize how hard it is for a player really. But it's tough on the team. It's tough on all of us."
The Giants are doing their best to support Dart.
"Me and Jaxson have talked," said veteran quarterback Jameis Winston, who will start in place of Dart beginning Sunday against the Tennessee Titans. "It's pretty fresh, so I'm going to keep on lifting him up. He's a warrior. He's in good spirits. He's, again, focusing on what he would love, and that's healing. And all of us are going to just wrap our arms around him and lift him up. There's not much that you can say in this moment, but it's actions of what we do and how we support him in this time."
The Giants are also expected to be without standout outside linebacker Brian Burns against the Titans, a source told Schefter. Burns is likely to miss time because of a low ankle sprain suffered against the Rams, though the injury will not require surgery.
Dart, 23, flashed promise as a rookie last year and was outstanding in New York's season-opening victory over the Dallas Cowboys, completing 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for 54 yards.
The Giants initially hoped that Dart didn't have a long-term injury, with Harbaugh saying Monday that the team probably avoided "a disastrous outcome." But the results of the imaging Tuesday showed more extensive damage than expected. After exhausting all options and seeking other opinions, the Giants and Dart elected for surgery.
The surgery to repair a torn meniscus and MCL carries a recovery timeline of approximately six months, according to sources. Had Dart suffered an ACL tear, he probably would have been sidelined for at least nine months.
The Giants (1-1) will now turn to Winston, who struggled after replacing Dart against the Rams. Harbaugh expressed confidence Tuesday in Winston's ability to step in as New York's long-term replacement under center. He named Winston the team's starter Wednesday.
Jake Haener, the other healthy quarterback on the Giants' roster, is currently on the practice squad and slated to be the backup Sunday against the Titans. But Harbaugh said the Giants intend to add another quarterback to the mix, preferably a veteran. They will explore all avenues, whether it be signing a free agent or someone off another team's practice squad. Trading for a quarterback also is on the table.
"All options are open," Harbaugh said.
Dart injured his knee during the opening possession of Monday's 28-6 loss. The Giants lost Dart on their seventh snap of the game, when he was hit on his right side by Rams linebacker Byron Young. That hit sent Dart into linebacker Josaiah Stewart, who undercut the quarterback's legs, resulting in a hard fall.
Dart immediately grabbed at his left knee and went to the blue medical tent. He walked with a limp to the locker room before officially being ruled out early in the third quarter.
Winston completed only 11 of 27 passes for 111 yards and an interception. The Giants will need more.
"The fans want to see wins," Winston said. "It's not about what I'm showing them. It's about us going out there and winning football games together, giving them something to cheer for, giving them something to stand behind. But right now, my heart, this is fresh. The opportunity is beautiful. It's amazing. I'm grateful for it, but at the same time, I've got a brother that I've got to keep lifted up, and I have to prepare for a football game. But I've prepared for many football games, and I've dealt with injury before. I've had an injury that was really bad. So, balancing the two, but keeping a perspective of do what you can with what you have right now, where you're at."