Surgeon says Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart could return for playoffs
Dr. Drew Burdi, a foot and ankle surgeon, stated that New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart could potentially return for the NFL playoffs, though he cautioned against rushing the player back to avoid career risk. Burdi made these remarks in a recent interview with OutKick, noting that while Dart is a good player, the team may choose to hold him out to ensure proper healing. The Giants' head coach, John Harbaugh, initially ruled Dart out only for the regular season, leaving open the possibility of a playoff return if the team qualifies.
Dr. Drew Burdi, a foot and ankle surgeon, stated that New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart could potentially return for the NFL playoffs, though he cautioned against rushing the player back to avoid career risk. Burdi made these remarks in a recent interview with OutKick, noting that while Dart is a good player, the team may choose to hold him out to ensure proper healing. The Giants' head coach, John Harbaugh, initially ruled Dart out only for the regular season, leaving open the possibility of a playoff return if the team qualifies.
Dart underwent surgery on his left knee on Sept. 25, where doctors repaired his meniscus and addressed damage to his MCL and PCL. The estimated recovery time for these injuries is four to six months. Calculating four months from the surgery date leads to Jan. 25, 2027, which falls just two days before the scheduled NFL Divisional Round of the playoffs. Burdi, who does not specialize in knees, referenced past cases like that of Robert Griffin III to illustrate why rushing a return for a single season is not worth risking a long-term career. He suggested that if the Giants let Dart heal, he represents a significant investment for their future.
Harbaugh tempered expectations regarding Dart's timeline during a press conference on Oct. 1. He acknowledged that Dart had indicated he expected to be back for the playoffs, possibly via social media or text, but described such a timeline as ambitious. The quarterback's availability will not impact the team unless the Giants secure a playoff berth. Currently standing at 3-1-1, the Giants lead the NFC East after defeating teams they were expected to beat.
The division presents a challenging landscape for the Giants' rivals. The Philadelphia Eagles are 2-3 and have lost three consecutive games, including two recent defeats after blowing fourth-quarter leads. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is dealing with a superficial blood clot and will miss at least the upcoming game against the Carolina Panthers. The Dallas Cowboys are also 2-3, with their defense ranking 27th in the NFL in scoring defense, allowing 27.2 points per game despite offseason changes. The Cowboys recently lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24-16, a game in which the Buccaneers started an undrafted rookie in his second career start.
The Washington Commanders sit at 1-3-1 following a 27-27 tie that featured poor game management by head coach Dan Quinn and quarterback Jayden Daniels. Their next opponent is the undefeated San Francisco 49ers on Monday. If the Giants can accumulate enough wins against these struggling divisional opponents, they could claim the NFC East title and earn a playoff spot. The Giants are currently 2-0-1 without Dart and are set to play the 1-4 New Orleans Saints on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.