Reports: Giants to start Jameis Winston if Jaxson Dart can't go

Field Level Media|published: Wed 12th November, 10:38 2025

Oct 9, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, left, and quarterback Jameis Winston, right, on the field before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The New York Giants will turn to veteran quarterback Jameis Winston on Sunday if rookie Jaxson Dart is not cleared from concussion protocol to face the visiting Green Bay Packers, multiple outlets reported Wednesday.

Elevating Winston to the QB2 role over Russell Wilson would be the first major move made by interim head coach Mike Kafka, who replaced the fired Brian Daboll on Monday.

Dart was injured in Sunday's 24-20 loss at Chicago and is "unlikely" to clear protocol in time to lead the Giants (2-8) against the Packers (5-3-1), ESPN reported.

Winston, 31, inked a two-year, $8 million deal with New York in the offseason. He has yet to see action this season.

Drafted No. 1 overall in 2015 by Tampa Bay, Winston made the Pro Bowl as a rookie and topped the NFL with 5,109 passing yards for the Buccaneers in 2019.

He is 36-51 as a starter, completing 61.2% of his passes for 24,225 yards, 154 touchdowns and 111 interceptions in 105 games with the Bucs (2015-19), New Orleans Saints (2020-23) and Cleveland Browns (2024).

Winston's last appearance came in Cleveland's 21-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15 of last season.

Wilson, 36, replaced Dart in the second half against the Bears and completed 3 of 7 passes for 45 yards while being sacked twice.

--Field Level Media

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