Jaxson Dart (concussion) to start Giants' MNF game vs. Pats - ESPN

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Jaxson Dart is unequivocally back as the starting quarterback for the New York Giants. And he will be taking all the first-team reps this week in preparation for the New England Patriots on «Monday Night Football,» interim coach Mike Kafka said on Friday.

The Giants announced Dart officially cleared concussion protocol on Thursday. He had missed the previous two games with Jameis Winston starting in his place.

«I'm ready. I've been waiting for it,» Dart said after practice on Friday. «Obviously these primetime games are the ones you have circled on your calendar. I'm excited to go out there, compete at a high level and do everything in my power to rally these guys to put our team in the best situation when the clock hits zero that we're going to come out with a win.»

New York (2-10) has dropped six straight games. Meanwhile, the Patriots (10-2) have won nine straight.

The Giants will be trying to snap a franchise-record 12-game road skid with their rookie quarterback back behind center.

«It's great to get him back in the mix,» Kafka said. «He's been prepping.»

Dart came close to returning last week. He felt he could play, but the doctors thought otherwise. The first-round pick didn't clear the concussion protocol.

Now, he returns knowing there must be more prudence about the hits he takes. Dart is taking almost 10 hits per game.

Even though Dart thought he did better in the game in which he sustained a concussion Nov. 9 in Chicago, it was still the fourth time in eight games dating back to the preseason that he needed to be evaluated for a concussion. That equals a lot of time being off the field.

«Moving forward, I have to be more available for this team,» Dart said. «This is obviously on the