Giants’ Jaxson Dart shows impressive resilience after taking big hit in preseason opener

Jaxson Dart crashed to the turf at MetLife Stadium and then headed to a familiar place — the blue medical tent on the Giants’ sideline.

This time, the franchise’s prized quarterback wasn’t checked for a concussion because of his own reckless running, but rather, because of a botched block by one of his running backs.

Yet after missing just three snaps — and getting cleared — Dart returned and reminded Giants fans why they are so excited about his potential.

With 13:32 left in the second quarter Saturday, Dart shifted left in the pocket, kept his eyes downfield and flicked an off-balance, 15-yard touchdown pass to intriguing rookie wide receiver Malachi Fields.

It’s what Dart does best — improvise. It helps when the Giants can keep him upright — and when he can keep himself that way, too.

Dart played two drives (with the exception of those three snaps) in Saturday’s preseason opener against the Vikings.

On what would seemingly be his final play, he took a vicious sack from safety Jay Ward, after Tyrone Tracy badly missed a block. Dart never saw Ward coming. Then the Giants opened that medical tent yet again.

It looked like that frustrating moment would cap off an uneven preseason debut for him and the Giants’ starting offense. But then he returned and threw that nifty touchdown pass on his first play back in the game.

The first drive for Dart and Co. ended in a punt. Dart managed to crack the end zone on his second possession, showing resilience, albeit against a mostly second-string Vikings defense.

Still, Dart can take plenty from that pass — a potential turning point amid what has been an uneven summer for him.

Dart finished Saturday having completed 3 of 4 passes for 26 yards and the touchdown. He didn’t run or turn the ball over. He was sacked twice.

Entering Saturday, Harbaugh had been evasive about whether Dart and the Giants’ starters would play in the coach’s first preseason game with the organization.

But it was obvious Dart needed the work, as he delivered up-and-down performances through 14 training camp practices heading into Saturday.

After flashing potential as a rookie in 2025, Dart this summer is learning his second new NFL offense in as many years. It’s been rocky at times, as he prepares for a critically important Year 2.

So how would Dart fare in the preseason opener against the Vikings, with a Week 1 home showdown against Dallas looming?

Not bad overall, as it turned out.

Dart and Co. sputtered on their first drive, gaining just 5 yards on six plays, as Dart took a sack on third-and-10 to end the possession, right after missing on a short pass to Tracy.

The Giants played all of their offensive starters to open the game, except for left tackle Andrew Thomas. Marcus Mbow started for him. Center John Michael Schmitz remained sidelined by a concussion.

The Vikings’ starting defense got one drive Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Giants’ defense on Saturday started these players: Tyler Nubin and Ar’Darius Washington at safety; Colton Hood and Deonte Banks at cornerback; Micah McFadden and Arvell Reese at inside linebacker; Kayvon Thibodeaux and Abdul Carter at outside linebacker; and Leki Fotu, Darius Alexander and Josh Tupou on the defensive line.

That meant these notable veterans sat: defensive linemen Shelby Harris and D.J. Reader, outside linebacker Brian Burns, inside linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, safety Jevon Holland and these three cornerbacks — Greg Newsome, Paulson Adebo and Dru Phillips.

It’s worth noting, though, that all three of those corners have dealt with injuries lately.

The Giants held the Vikings to a field goal on their first drive, as Minnesota played all of its offensive starters, with the exception of wide receiver Justin Jefferson.

Underwhelming backup J.J. McCarthy replaced Kyler Murray for Minnesota’s second drive, and the Giants’ “starters” forced a three and out.

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