Giants' Dart clears concussion protocol ahead of Patriots game - ESPN

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart cleared concussion protocol Thursday, setting the stage for him to return Monday night against the New England Patriots.

Dart missed the past two games with a concussion suffered Nov. 9 against the Chicago Bears. Jameis Winston started in his place.

Dart, a first-round pick earlier this year, has started seven games. He's thrown 10 touchdown passes and rushed for seven more.

The rookie returns after practicing in full for the first time Wednesday. He was a limited participant in practice last week.

A source told ESPN that Dart was disappointed he was unable to play this past Sunday in Detroit. He took reps early in the week as if he would be available, but ultimately wasn't cleared.

Dart, who has been checked for a concussion in four of his last eight games dating back to the preseason, was the first quarterback up at practice Wednesday. That seemed to indicate he was in line to return.

«Yeah, we had the same plan that we had last week,» interim coach Mike Kafka said Wednesday. «We'll kind of carry that into this week and then just really see what ends up happening throughout the process with Jaxson being in the protocol.»

They reviewed the good news on Thursday after Dart met with an independent neurologist. It's the final step of the protocol.

Dart's style of play has been a topic of conversation surrounding the Giants. The team didn't want to take away his aggressiveness.

Brian Daboll was fired the day after Dart suffered the concussion. Kafka has been the playcaller throughout the season.

Several teammates told ESPN in recent weeks they have been imploring Dart to slide more and get out of bounds, when possible, near the sideline. They know he can't keep