Giants Unveil Jaxson Dart Package as Rookie Makes NFL Debut in 40-37 OT Loss to Cowboys

ARLINGTON, Texas — The New York Giants activated a much-hyped "Dart package" in the fourth quarter Sunday, sending rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart onto the field for a series of short-yardage plays as the Giants mounted a late charge in a 40-37 overtime loss to the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.

Dart, the team's touted quarterback of the future, played three one-off snaps late in the fourth quarter after starter Russell Wilson had led the offense into position but failed to finish drives in the red zone. Dart's role was limited and situational: head coach Brian Daboll told him to be ready for short-yardage, red-zone opportunities.

On his first snap Dart handed off to Cam Skattebo, who gained 24 yards and carried the ball to the 1-yard line on a zone-read play that Dart said opened because of linebacker flow and strong offensive-line blocking. Later, Dart kept the ball on a potential keeper with one defender to beat but slipped on the turf and fell short of a big gain.

"They told me, red-zone-wise, just to be prepared. Short-yardage stuff," Dart said. "That was really just the conversation." He added of the loss: "We work our ass off all week and all offseason, and to lose like that and have chances to win, it just stings throughout the locker room."

The debut came amid mounting injuries that forced several lineup changes and stretched the Giants' depth. Inside linebackers Darius Muasau (concussion) and Chris Board (chest) did not finish the game, and Board had been playing with the starters because of prior injuries to Micah McFadden, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles and Muasau. Those absences led to the NFL debuts of third-round rookie Darius Alexander and other depth players.

Alexander, a healthy scratch in Week 1, was active because defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches was out with an injury. The Giants also elevated practice-squad linebacker Elijah Garcia, who recorded a sack in overtime.

Other inactives for New York included left tackle Andrew Thomas, wide receiver Xavier Gipson, offensive lineman Evan Neal, tight end Thomas Fidone II and backup quarterback Jameis Winston.

Special teams adjustments were also evident. With kickoff returns shuffled because Wan’Dale Robinson missed practice time with an ankle issue, Tyrone Tracy Jr. returned five kickoffs for 132 yards, with a long of 30 yards. Tracy did not start at running back; Devin Singletary opened the game and had five carries for 15 yards. The Giants used multiple backs early, with three different running backs touching the ball in the first four offensive snaps.

Dart acknowledged seeing the lane on his keeper and blamed the footing for the slip, calling it a "turf monster." Daboll and the coaching staff framed the snaps as a developmental, situational deployment rather than a change to the starter plan.

The loss extended a difficult stretch for the Giants in the rivalry game, with both the immediate result and the string of injuries prompting questions about roster depth as the season progresses. The club will evaluate the injured players in the coming days and determine whether additional roster moves or elevations are necessary for upcoming games.

The game marked a high-drama, back-and-forth contest that ultimately ended on a Cowboys walk-off. New York's decision to give Dart limited red-zone duty provides an early look at how the team might integrate the rookie quarterback in controlled, situational packages while preserving the starter role for Wilson.

Daboll did not commit to further usage plans for Dart beyond the situational series deployed Sunday. The Giants head into their next week of preparation facing decisions on injury recoveries and small-sample development for a quarterback the organization views as part of its long-term plans.