New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart underwent surgery Friday to repair significant damage to the medial collateral ligament (MCL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), and meniscus in his left knee. The operation took place at New York’s Hospital for Special Surgery, just four days after Dart sustained the injury during a game in Los Angeles.
The recovery timeline for such an injury typically spans four to six months. Despite the severity, Giants head coach John Harbaugh did not rule out the possibility of Dart returning for the playoffs, should the team qualify. Harbaugh expressed approval of the prompt surgical intervention, noting that early surgery can be advantageous when feasible. “I was excited that they were going to get to it right away,” Harbaugh said. “That was something that could be done quickly, so that was good.”
Surgical timing for ligament injuries varies based on factors such as swelling and overall tissue condition. For example, last season wide receiver Malik Nabers delayed surgery for a torn ACL and meniscus by a month to allow swelling to subside before undergoing the procedure. On the other hand, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes had surgery just one day after tearing his ACL and lateral collateral ligament (LCL) last December. Mahomes’ early surgery helped him avoid the traditional preoperative rehab period and aided his recovery. Mahomes has since returned to form, throwing for 566 yards and completing 63.5 percent of his passes through the first two games of the 2026 season.
Giants offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, who coached Mahomes during his time in Kansas City, noted the similarities in mindset between Dart and Mahomes regarding their recoveries. Nagy highlighted Dart’s determination to return to full strength, mentioning that Dart was keen on getting back on the field shortly after his injury, even seeking multiple medical opinions after initial hopes of a sprained MCL were dashed. “I went through it last year with the quarterback I was with, and you got to see how he attacked that from the very next day, and that’s what Jaxson’s going to do,” Nagy said following Thursday’s practice. “He kind of mentioned he’s ready to go right now. He’s kidding. He wants to be out there.”
Nagy also reflected on the importance of support during Dart’s recovery process, praising his performance prior to the injury and expressing confidence in his potential return. “This will make him stronger, and we’ve just got to be there for him, and we’ve got to understand that what he did up until this point has been good. So now, when he does get back, whenever that is, it’s going to be a beautiful thing.”