The New York Giants' quarterback situation just got considerably bleaker. Tests on Jaxson Dart's knee injury revealed damage far more extensive than coaches believed when he left the field during Monday's 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. Dart could miss the remainder of the season and is facing the possibility of season-ending surgery.
The injury occurred during the opening possession of the Rams game. Coach John Harbaugh initially struck an optimistic note post-game, saying the Giants likely avoided a "devastating outcome" with Dart's knee. But Tuesday's evaluations told a different story. Harbaugh declined to commit to any timeline for Dart's return, instead framing the situation broadly.
"It's an ongoing conversation about the health of a player, of a person," Harbaugh said on a video call with reporters. "We've got to prepare for the range of possibilities." That preparation now includes Jameis Winston operating as the starting quarterback for however long Dart remains sidelined. Harbaugh expressed confidence in Winston's ability to step in, but the Giants have gone from hoping for Dart's swift return to planning for his extended or total absence.
The Giants are hardly alone in quarterback upheaval around the league. The Jets signed Will Levis to their practice squad on Tuesday, bringing in the former Titans starter as additional depth beyond Geno Smith and rookie Cade Klubnik. Levis went 5-16 as Tennessee's starter in 2023 and 2024 before missing last season with shoulder surgery. He was available after the Titans cut him at the end of preseason in favor of Cam Ward and Mitchell Trubisky. In a corresponding move, the Jets released Bailey Zappe from the practice squad.
Meanwhile, the 49ers are reinforcing their depleted receiver room by signing veteran Brandin Cooks to their practice squad, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Cooks, 32, joins San Francisco as injuries have ravaged the receiving corps—Ricky Pearsall, De'Zhaun Stribling, and Demarcus Robinson have all gone down, and Mike Evans is managing a hip injury. The 20th overall pick in 2014, Cooks has played for six teams across 12 seasons and has accumulated 734 career receptions for 9,811 yards and 62 touchdowns. He competed in two Super Bowls with the Patriots and Rams, losing both.
Elsewhere, Brock Purdy continues his exceptional start for San Francisco. Through two weeks, the 49ers quarterback leads the NFL in Total QBR (95.0) and completion rate (80.4%) while posting a completion percentage over expectation of 11.1%. He has yet to throw an off-target ball or take a sack, per ESPN's reporting. Purdy credited his best training camp ever and improved fundamental consistency—footwork, eye progression, and aggressive ball placement—as catalysts for his early-season dominance. He has posted 13 career games with a 130-plus passer rating and eight with a 140-plus rating, the most such games by any player in his first five seasons.
This article synthesizes reporting from ESPN, Yahoo Sports. Top story: "Sources: Giants QB Jaxson Dart out for extended period" (ESPN).