Giants' Tracy Jr. Takes Blame for Jaxson Dart Taking Big Hit After Injury Scare vs. Vikings

New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. owned up to failing to see the blitzer on the big hit quarterback Jaxson Dart received in Saturday's 13-10 preseason loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Vikings safety Jay Ward came off the edge and had a clean shot on Dart in the first quarter.

Tracy was late in seeing Ward and unable to divert the defender off his course.

"I heard something that had my eyes on the wrong side," he said, per The Athletic's Dan Duggan. "It was really just on me. I heard something, had my eyes on the other side, and that was really it."

Following the sack, Dart headed into the blue medical tent on the sideline to get checked for a concussion. He eventually returned to the game.

No team wants to see its starting quarterback rocked like that in a preseason contest. The concern with Dart is heightened because he was diagnosed with one concussion as a rookie and had five checks altogether in 2025.

Coach John Harbaugh offered a blunt response when asked about the hit.

"My feeling in that moment was we need to block better," he told reporters. "That's what my feeling was."

Dart is adapting his game to avoid contact, and the Giants used the No. 10 overall pick on Francis Mauigoa to strengthen the offensive line. New York is clearly hoping he stays upright more in 2026.

Ward's sack was a reminder of how much goes into pass protection on every play. It only takes one blown assignment to result in the quarterback winding up flat on his back.