New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart has had good results lately, according to head coach John Harbaugh, but the possibility of him returning to the playoffs seems like an ambitious goal.
Dart underwent surgery Friday after suffering a torn meniscus in New York’s Week 2 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The procedure repaired the meniscus while also addressing the damage to his MCL and PCL. His ACL is not affected.
“I think it went well,” Harbaugh told reporters Wednesday. “Did you ever hear the doctor tell you it didn’t go well? Yes, the doc said it went well.
“I think it’s as expected. I think they saw what they thought they were going to see and just fixed it. The timeline doesn’t change much.”
Dart’s recovery is currently estimated at four to six months. Four months after last Friday’s surgery falls on Dec. 25, which puts the earliest point of that window five days before the Giants’ Week 16 matchup with the Detroit Lions on Dec. 30. Dart is not expected to be available for that contest or either of New York’s final two regular-season games against the Dallas Cowboys on Jan. 3 and the Philadelphia Eagles on Jan. 10.
The postseason schedule provides a later opportunity. The wild-card round is set for January 16-18, followed by the divisional round the following week. The conference championships are scheduled for Jan. 31, with the Super Bowl scheduled for Feb. 14. Six months after Dart’s surgery will be Feb. 25, meaning the quarterback could potentially reach the end of his recovery window by the time the postseason ends.
Harbaugh had previously dismissed the possibility of Dart returning to the playoffs, but he now described that possibility as “probably ambitious.” Meanwhile, Dart is reportedly telling people he expects to return sooner and could be available if the Giants reach the postseason.
New York enters Week 4 tied for first place in the NFC East at 2-1. Dart helped produce 28 points and nearly 400 yards in the Giants’ Week 1 win before his injury. Since Jameis Winston took over at quarterback, however, the offense hasn’t clicked the same way
Through three games, New York ranks near the middle of the NFL in total offense and ninth in points scored, while the defense ranks among the bottom five in the league in both yards and points allowed. The Giants acquired JJ McCarthy from the Vikings as another quarterback option, while the team also lost star edge rusher Brian Burns to a torn ACL.
For now, Dart’s recovery timeline remains the biggest factor in determining whether his postseason hopes can become a reality.
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart has had good results lately, according to head coach John Harbaugh, but the possibility of him returning to the playoffs seems like an ambitious goal. Dart underwent surgery Friday after suffering a torn meniscus in New York’s Week 2 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.