Thank everyone that the New York Giants’ Monday night debacle is over. While the 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams stings, it’s what happened during the game that stings even worse.
Watching Jaxson Dart, Malik Nabers, Andrew Thomas, and Brian Burns all deal with injuries throughout the night made the final score feel like the least of Big Blue’s problems by the time everyone left SoFi Stadium. That's arguably the four best players on the team. It’s surprising the Giants are leaving California with anyone healthy left on their roster, the way they were dropping like flies out there.
Nabers was able to return, thankfully. The other three weren’t as lucky. And now, it’s everyone’s least favorite game to play: the waiting game. Fingers crossed the updates come quickly and bring good news.
For what it's worth, head coach John Harbaugh isn't exactly a man of many words, especially when it comes to injury updates with the media. But the 63-year-old did leave Giants fans with this: "None of these injuries are life-threatening." Thanks, John.
Giants injury updates
Last updated Tuesday, September 22, 5:00 a.m. ET
Jaxson Dart, QB
Dart went down on the Giants’ very first offensive drive after taking a massive hit from Rams pass rushers Byron Young and Josaiah Stewart. He immediately grabbed at his left knee and stayed down for what felt like an eternity before eventually limping off under his own power.
The 23-year-old initially went into the blue medical tent before making his way to the locker room, and the Giants later ruled him out with a left knee injury. Backup QB Jameis Winston replaced him for the rest of the night.
There was at least one potentially encouraging update. General manager Joe Schoen reportedly told the broadcast that Dart was “okay,” and the second-year quarterback eventually returned to the sideline in street clothes.
For now, that’s about all Giants fans have to work with. Dart is expected to undergo further testing on Tuesday, which should give everyone a much better idea of what New York is looking at. According to Ian Rapoport, the initial belief is that Dart suffered a sprained MCL.
Malik Nabers, WR
Just two drives after Dart left the game, Nabers went down after battling LA cornerback Trent McDuffie for a jump ball near the sideline. He immediately grabbed his shoulder in visible pain and spent a good amount of time on the sideline with the Giants’ medical staff.
Big Blue instantly listed him as questionable to return with a shoulder injury, which was especially concerning given that Nabers has dealt with a partially torn labrum in his right shoulder, an issue dating back to his college days that he elected to manage without surgery.
Fortunately, he missed just one possession before returning in the second quarter and was able to finish the game. **Inserts biggest sigh of relief.**
Brian Burns, EDGE
Burns injured his left ankle late in the fourth quarter after Rams center Coleman Shelton rolled over his ankle during a run. The 28-year-old immediately went down in obvious pain and needed help from two trainers just to get off the field.
He initially couldn’t put much weight on his left leg and was later seen on the sideline with his ankle heavily wrapped in ice.
UPDATE: Harbaugh confirmed after the game that Burns suffered a low-ankle sprain. We’ll have to wait and see what Burns’ status looks like as the week progresses, but Big Blue appears to have avoided a world-ending scenario.
Andrew Thomas, OT
Because why not add insult to injury, right? Thomas limped off the field late in the fourth quarter and headed straight into the blue medical tent. The G-Men officially listed their star left tackle as questionable to return with a groin injury.
He never made it back onto the field, although there is at least some reason to hope that it was precautionary. New York was already trailing 28-6, so there wasn’t exactly much reason to send their bookend left tackle back out there not at 100%. Still, that’s just me spitballing until fans hear more from the team.
Thomas’ status will be another major one to follow heading into Week 3, especially with Dart’s availability already up in the air.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
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