Jaxson Dart questions NFL's blue medical tent process: 'Every time that I get hit, I find my way in there' originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Health was not on Jaxson Dart's side during his 2025 rookie season. The New York Giants quarterback flashed plenty of dual-threat talent, but consistently, he was taking big hits; on five different occasions, Dart was checked for a concussion during his first NFL season. Now, after being sent to the blue medical tent in Saturday's preseason game against the Vikings — then returning and throwing a touchdown pass — Dart has shared some gripes he has with the NFL's medical-tent process. Here's what Dart said Saturday about his common trips to the medical tent. MORE: Updated look at Browns' QB competition following preseason debuts Jaxson Dart questions NFL's blue medical tent process By now, all fans are familiar with the "blue medical tent" — it's the first place a player goes after an injury, allowing them to be assessed by trainers with some privacy before determining whether they should go back to the locker room. Trips to the medical tent are perhaps most common after a player takes a big hit, which could result in a concussion. That's something Dart is already well familiar with. In Saturday's game, Dart was sent hard to the ground on a sack, where he then remained for a moment.
BIG FOOTBALL HITS ARE SO BACK. Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/11JOVdunxm — NFL (@NFL) August 15, 2026 Dart was checked by trainers between quarters; the medical spotter from above called for the concussion check, per ESPN, which surprised both Dart and coach John Harbaugh. "I would say that their job is to err on the side of player safety, so I can't argue with that either," Harbaugh said, per ESPN. Because of that, Dart had to go to the blue tent for an exam, replaced by Jameis Winston at quarterback. "I never thought that I was going to be taken out," Dart said, per ESPN. "So I'm going to keep playing until they tell me I'm not playing. I want to be out there." Dart, however, was quickly cleared, and he returned to the game to throw a touchdown pass to Malachi Fields on his first play back.
What a throw on the run from Dart for the touchdown 🎯 Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/aRzenZx2L5 — NFL (@NFL) August 15, 2026 Postgame, Dart said he simply had the wind knocked out of him on the sack, but he then added that he was "puzzled" by the NFL's medical-tent process despite understanding its merit. "As far as the blue tent, I really respect the rules and the thought behind NFL has of keeping players healthy and reviewing things," Dart said. "But at the same time, I'm still puzzled by it just feeling like every time that I get hit, I find my way in there, which at times I still try to wrap my head around."
QB Jaxson Dart on ending up in the blue medical tent: “I'm still puzzled by it. Just feeling like every time that I get hit, I just find my way in there.” Says he respects the rules and process NFL has but still trying to understand ending up there. #giantspic.twitter.com/6MrnjcpgqI — Charlotte Carroll (@charlottecrrll) August 15, 2026 Jaxson Dart concussion history Dart, even entering his second NFL season, is certainly qualified to be describing what it's like to enter the blue medical tent. In his rookie season alone, he was checked for a concussion in the tent on five different occasions over 14 games. He was diagnosed with one concussion, which resulted in him missing two games. MORE: How Seahawks' Devon Witherspoon's new deal made NFL history