Odell Returns And Gets Big Cheers
Photo: Michael Henriquez – NY Beacon
MetLife Stadium
By Shara Talia Taylor
Dart Gets Drilled Goes To The Concussion Tent
Photo: Michael Henriquez – NY Beacon
MetLife Stadium
It was an intense start for the New York Giants, who were ahead of the Minnesota Vikings at halftime in their preseason home opener, but failed to score after the break and lost 13-10.
Second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart started the game, left to be evaluated for a concussion, and returned to throw a touchdown, while veterans quarterbacksJameis Winston and Brandon Allen played in the following three quarters. Giants New Head Coach John Harbaugh felt Saturday’s game was a good start and opportunity to see all players in a game, as opposed to practice, while decisions and roster moves soon followed.
“I thought they played hard, thought they competed and we’ll learn a lot from that game,” said Giants Head Coach John Harbaugh following the preseason opener. “It’ll be play-by-play, player-by-player evaluation that we’ll take on tomorrow.”
Harbaugh Will Evaluate Players After Watching Game Tape
Photo: Michael Henriquez – NY Beacon
MetLife Stadium
The Giants kicked off to the Vikings to start Saturday’s game. Defense only allowing a field goal by Vikings kicker Will Reichard. Dart, in the Giants’ first drive, moved the ball by handing off to running back Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy Jr. and by connecting with tight end Isaiah Likely. However, New York was scoreless in the first quarter and with less than 10 seconds remaining Dart took a hard hit from Vikings safety Jay Ward. Dart left to be evaluated for a concussion, was cleared to play in the medical tent and returned.
“My feeling in that moment was we need to block better,” Coach Harbaugh said about the hit.
He told reporters there was no hesitation in Dart returning to the game.
“No, no, he was fine,” he said.
Dart appeared to lay motionless for several seconds following the hit. After the game he seemed to agree when asked if he had the wind knocked out of him, but said he wanted to be out there and never thought he would be taken out of the game.
“I’m still puzzled by it just feeling like every time that I get hit, I find my way in there,” Dart said about going into the medical tent. “That’s all that I’m going to say about that situation. I’m really happy with how the drive ended.”
New York trailed Minnesota 3-0 at the end of the first quarter and Winston replaced Dart in the second quarter. Winston worked towards goal linking with running back Devin Singletary for 40 yards and again for two yards. Dart returned and found wide receiver Malachi Fields in the endzone for the Giants first touchdown of the game.
“I thought it was a good drive by the offense, just being resilient,” Dart said. “It was big by even Jameis (Winston) and Motor ( Devin Singletary) just making a play to get us down there and us being able to have a big play in the red zone on a scramble drill and Malachi (Fields) showing what he’s been consistently showing all through camp.”
The Giants defense prevented the Vikings from scoring in the second quarter, once with the help of defensive lineman Darius Alexander, who broke through to sack Vikings quarterback J. J. McCarthy. New York scored with Sauls’ 46-yard field goal and went to halftime ahead 10-3.
The Giants did not score the remainder of the game. The Vikings only scored in the third quarter with a field goal by Reichard and a 1-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Carson Wentz to (WR) Myles Price.
Dart completed three of four passes for 26 yards, Brandon Allen completed five of eight for 45, and Winston finished eight of nine for 89.
“So blessed to be out there,” Winston said about returning to the field. “Just electric fans.”
Wentz completed nine of 14 for 81-yards for the Vikings, McCarthy threw four of seven for 34-yards, Kyler Murray threw two of three for 10-yards and Max Brosmer finished one of two for 6-yards.
Allen threw two interceptions. Dart was sacked twice and Winston and Allen each sacked once.
“As an offensive lineman, your main priority is protecting your quarterback,” Giants offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa said about Dart going to the medical tent after he was sacked. “You want to encourage not only yourself to do better, but also encourage your other four guys on the line of scrimmage”.
The Giants defense made 50 combined tackles and assists, made one sack and had five pass deflections in the game. The Vikings defense made 58 combined tackles and assists, made four sacks and had three pass deflections in the game.
Veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. returned to the Giants lineup for his first game with the team since 2018 and caught two of three passes for six yards.
“It felt great running in the game and having the love from the fans and just being able to be back on the field,” he said. “It truly was a blessing.”
The Giants were in last place in the NFC East with only four wins in 2025. The team signed quarterback Jake Haener and linebacker Chandler Martin Aug. 17.
The Giants will travel to Miami to face the Miami Dolphins for their second preseason matchup.
…
Recent Comments