NFL Responds to Jaxson Dart's Comment on Concussion Protocol After Taking Big Hit in Giants Game

A spokesperson for the NFL denied New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart was treated any differently when he was required to enter the blue medical tent during Saturday's 13-10 preseason loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

"This was a standard medical timeout," Brian McCarthy said to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio.

Dart briefly left the game after a big hit from Vikings safety Jay Ward at the end of the first quarter.

The second-year signal-caller said after the game he was a little "puzzled" by the NFL's concussion protocols because he thought he has been forced to take an inordinate amount of trips to the blue tent:

Dart said something midway through a rookie season that saw him have five different concussion checks and be diagnosed with one confirmed concussion.

The 2025 first-round pick is a solid runner — 487 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground — and he had a tendency to welcome contact rather than avoid it. That was a recipe for absorbing more blows than the average quarterback, which in turn earned him more trips to the medical tent.

According to ESPN's Jordan Raanan, a medical spotter high above the field called for Dart to be checked on Saturday against Minnesota. While he ultimately wasn't concussed, it was a natural concern given how clean Ward's shot on him was. Dart was down on the turf for a few seconds, too.

It was better to err on the side of caution rather than risk having an injured player get back on the field.

Dart is making a concerted effort in practice to slide rather than fight for a few extra yards. Should he carry that over to meaningful games, his concussion checks should be kept to a minimum.