Jaxson Dart Gets Honest About Concussion Tests After Giants' Preseason Loss

The New York Giants fell to the Minnesota Vikings 13-10 in their opening preseason game on August 15, 2026. Starting quarterback Jaxson Dart saw limited action in the first half before exiting the field under medical supervision following a sack. He returned to play and completed three of four passes for 26 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown to Malachi Fields. Dart was sacked twice during his appearance and expressed frustration over the frequency with which he ends up in the medical tent. “I really respect the rules and the thought behind what the NFL has of keeping players healthy,” he said at his postgame press conference. “At the same time, I'm still puzzled by it just feeling like every time that I get hit, I find my way in there.” Dart's situation highlights ongoing concerns about player safety and the physical toll of preseason games. The Giants sent their quarterback to the blue medical tent for evaluation, a standard procedure given his status as the team's primary quarterback. His tendency to absorb hard contact, often due to his aggressive style of play, has drawn criticism, particularly regarding his reluctance to slide on rushing plays. This approach, while effective in certain situations, increases the risk of injury. During his rookie season, Dart played in 14 games, starting 12, and visited the medical tent multiple times. Notably, he suffered a concussion in Week 10 against the Chicago Bears and missed the subsequent two games. Backup quarterbacks Brandon Allen and Jameis Winston also received playing time. Winston completed eight of nine passes for 89 yards, while Allen managed five of eight attempts for 45 yards. However, Allen threw two interceptions during his brief stint. The Giants will face the Miami Dolphins in their next preseason game on August 22. Their regular-season opener is set for September 13 against the Dallas Cowboys. Meanwhile, the Vikings faced their own setback during the game. Veteran linebacker Jamal Adams was taken to the medical tent in the second quarter and later carted off the field for further evaluation. There has been no official statement on the nature or severity of his injury, though head coach Kevin O'Connell described the situation as concerning. “You're just crushed for him,” O'Connell said during the broadcast. “The role that he was kind of paving for himself, and then just having a personality and experienced toughness that he brought in such a short amount of time.” Adams, who joined the Vikings last month after a brief stint with the Las Vegas Raiders, has been a key contributor despite his recent injury. Adams' career has been marked by resilience and performance. He was selected sixth overall in the 2016 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, where he recorded 273 tackles, 12 sacks, six forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, 25 passes defensed, and two interceptions over his first three seasons. However, injuries derailed his trajectory, including a torn labrum in 2021 and a torn quad tendon in 2022. He was traded to the Seattle Seahawks for defensive contributions and continued to make an impact, tallying 221 tackles, 9.5 sacks, one forced fumble, 11 passes defensed, and two interceptions during his four-year tenure. Adams was later released ahead of the 2024 season, spending time with the Tennessee Titans and Detroit Lions before joining the Vikings. As both teams prepare for upcoming games, the health and readiness of key players remain central to their success. For the Giants, ensuring the well-being of their quarterback is crucial as the regular season approaches. For the Vikings, the challenge lies in maintaining depth and continuity amid the uncertainty surrounding Adams' condition. The outcomes of these early contests could shape the trajectory of both franchises throughout the remainder of the season.