New York Giants fans have wasted little time pointing the finger at Tyrone Tracy Jr. after Jaxson Dart took a huge hit during Saturday’s 13-10 preseason loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Vikings safety Jay Ward came free on a blitz after a protection breakdown, leaving Dart with little chance to avoid the hit.
The Giants quarterback was sent to the blue medical tent for a concussion evaluation, although he was later cleared and returned to the game.
Dart even threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to rookie Malachi Fields after returning, but the earlier incident left Giants fans questioning how the hit was allowed to happen.
Giants fans turn on Tyrone Tracy Jr. after Jaxson Dart hit
Tracy later accepted responsibility for the failed protection, explaining that he had his eyes on the wrong side after hearing an alert.
‘I heard something that made me have my eyes on the wrong side,’ Tracy said. ‘That was really it. I have to get my eyes right and block the guy.’
That admission did little to calm some supporters.
One fan bluntly asked: ‘Who is the RB? He may get released at halftime.’
Another joked about the accuracy of Ward’s hit, writing: ‘Dart got Bullseyed. I’ll see my way out.’
A third supporter was more direct, saying: ‘This is on #29 who failed to block the DB. And the hit was severe enough to checkout Dart.’
There was also criticism of Tracy’s decision-making in pass protection, with one fan writing: ‘He had WAYYY to much confidence in his running back.’
However, not everyone focused solely on the running back. One supporter took aim at Ward, writing: ‘Absolutely no reason for a hit like that! Jay Ward knows that, what’s he attempting to prove? It’s a long season, but this isn’t right, and sends the wrong message.’
Tracy’s mistake was costly, but the Giants have made clear that the incident was a protection issue rather than something that should simply be brushed aside.
Head coach John Harbaugh was equally blunt immediately after the play.
‘My feeling in that moment was we need to block better,’ Harbaugh said.
Dart’s return and touchdown provided some relief, but the Giants will now have to clean up their protection before the regular season. With their starting quarterback already facing repeated medical evaluations, another blown assignment is the last thing New York needs.
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