New York Giants Name Starting Quarterback For Week 12 Game
If New York Giants fans were hoping for a reprieve from the relentless headache that has been the 2025 season, they’re going to have to wait a little longer. The brief glimmer of optimism that appeared when rookie Quarterback Jaxson Dart returned to practice this week has officially been snuffed out.
Interim Head Coach Mike Kafka confirmed on Friday what many feared: Dart hasn’t cleared concussion protocol. That means he is officially out for Sunday’s clash against the Detroit Lions. It is now time for another round of the Jameis Winston experience.
Giants Injury Woes Continue
It’s a tough blow for a team that is already reeling. Dart, the 22-year-old rookie who gave the fanbase a reason to tune in despite a miserable 2-9 record, looked like he might trend toward playing earlier in the week. He was spotted at practice on Wednesday and Thursday, engaging in limited work. Usually, that’s the sign of a player turning the corner.
But the NFL’s concussion protocol is a strict, non-linear beast. Despite the limited participation, Dart didn’t make the necessary medical progress to get the green light for contact. Kafka kept it blunt with reporters, noting that based on the testing results, they had no choice but to shut him down for Week 12.
This marks the second straight missed game for the first-rounder, who took a nasty shot two weeks ago against the Bears. It is a frustrating pause for a kid who has thrown for 1,417 yards and rushed for another 317, showing the kind of dual-threat sparks that get people excited about the future.
What Winston Brings To the Table
With Dart in street clothes, the keys to the offense go back to Winston. If you watched last week’s 27-20 loss to the Packers, you saw the full Jameis spectrum. He was serviceable, completing about 65% of his passes for 201 yards and even running for a score. But, in true Winston fashion, there was the late-game interception that sealed the team’s fate. He’s a gunslinger who isn’t afraid to let it rip, which is arguably more entertaining than the conservative play we saw earlier in the year.
Winston gives the Giants a veteran presence, sure, but he doesn’t offer the same electric, off-script playmaking ability that Dart does. Against a Lions team that can put up points, New York is going to need to be perfect, and “perfect” isn’t exactly a word used to describe this offense lately.
Protecting the Future Franchise
The biggest storyline here isn’t just about Sunday’s game; it’s about Dart’s longevity. The rookie plays the game with his hair on fire, and while the Giants love the grit, they hate the hits.
Reports out of the facility suggest the coaching staff, specifically QB Coach Shea Tierney, has been sitting Dart down for some serious film sessions. The topic? Self-preservation. They’re showing him clips of other quarterbacks knowing when to slide and when to live to fight another down.
Dart has been checked for concussions four times this season. That is a terrifying number for a rookie. The Giants know this season is a wash. The playoffs are a mathematical fantasy. The priority now isn’t winning a meaningless game in Detroit; it’s ensuring their franchise quarterback learns that his availability is more valuable than an extra two yards on a scramble.
Until Dart learns to protect himself, the Giants are going to have to protect him from himself. For now, that means watching from the sidelines while Winston tries to snap this five-game losing streak.
