Dart 'Puzzled' by Preseason Concussion Check
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- Jaxson Dart was sent to the blue medical tent for a concussion exam after taking a hit in Saturday's preseason opener, his sixth such check after being examined five times during his rookie season, when one diagnosed concussion cost him two games.
- Dart called the latest check 'puzzling,' saying he had the wind knocked out of him and that he still can't 'wrap my head around' why he ends up in the tent after every hit.
- The NFL medical spotter in a booth above the field initiated the check, surprising both Dart and coach Harbaugh, who said he couldn't argue with erring on the side of player safety.
- Jameis Winston replaced Dart for two plays, including a third-and-23 conversion, before Dart returned and fired a 15-yard sidearm touchdown to rookie Malachi Fields on his first play back.
- Right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor defended Dart, saying a 'normal QB' wouldn't face this level of scrutiny, blaming the spotlight on Dart playing in New York.
- The Giants lost 13-10 to the Vikings; Dart finished 3-of-4 for 26 yards with a touchdown before being pulled for the rest of the game.
Why it matters: Teammates are publicly defending Dart, with right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor saying a 'normal QB' wouldn't draw the same concussion scrutiny. Five checks during his rookie year plus another Saturday make the medical tent a recurring storyline around the second-year quarterback before the regular season even starts.
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