NFL reviewing application of concussion protocol on Giants QB Jaxson Dart in win vs. Eagles

The NFL has initiated a review of the concussion protocol applied to New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart during Thursday night’s win over the Philadelphia Eagles, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported.

The league review will be conducted jointly with the NFLPA under the parties’ collective bargaining agreement, per Pelissero.

Giants coach Brian Daboll told reporters Friday that the team would “abide by all those rules” for evaluating for a concussion, noting that health and safety is an organizational priority for team owner John Mara, who is on the league’s Competition Committee.

Dart exited the game late in the third quarter after being sacked by Patrick Johnson, whose hit from the left side forced the rookie QB into Eagles defender Azeez Ojulari. Dart’s head appeared to be pushed back across Ojulari’s body as he was falling to the ground.

Dart grabbed his head as he remained on the turf before the Giants’ medical staff tended to the 22-year-old. He then jogged off the field under his own power before entering the blue medical tent on the sideline.

Russell Wilson entered the game for Dart for two plays, handing the ball off and throwing an incompletion. As the Giants were in formation to punt, Daboll was seen arguing with team physician Dr. Scott Rodeo on the sideline.

“I apologized directly to our team physician,” Daboll said after the game, via The Associated Press. “We were getting ready to go for it on a potential fourth down. I would have burned a timeout if he could have come out there. I was asking how long was it going to take. You want your guy out there, not at risk of anything else.”

The Prime Video broadcast then showed a replay of Daboll conversing with individuals peering out of the blue medical tent as Dart was being evaluated.

“I just stuck my head in to see how our quarterback was doing,” Daboll said Friday. “In no way would I want a player to come back out there that wasn’t ready to play. I have great respect for that process.”

Rookie running back Cam Skattebo was also shown entering the blue medical tent while Dart was being evaluated.

“I knew going over there I needed to calm down a little bit because I knew he was going to be on fire,” Skattebo said. “When I was in there, he was a little fired up, but we know we have to go through protocol and do all that stuff to make sure we can get back on the field. I went in there and kind of, ‘We’re good, man, we’ve got you,’ and that’s it.”

It was then announced that Dart was evaluated for a concussion and was cleared. He re-entered the game early in the fourth quarter once the Giants regained possession.

Mara issued the following statement on the league’s review and the team’s handling of concussion protocol:

“I spoke to Coach Daboll this morning about approaching the medical tent last night. While I firmly believe, as he has stated, that he was not trying to influence the process in any way, he understands that the appearance of going to the tent is inappropriate.

“We understand the situation is under review by the NFL and the NFLPA, and obviously we will cooperate fully.”

Making his third career start, Dart finished 17-of-25 passing for 195 yards with one touchdown and added 58 yards rushing and another score while leading New York to its second win of the season.