Giants QB Jaxson Dart 'puzzled' by latest concussion test request

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Another game, another trip to the blue medical tent. And New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart isn't too happy about the reccurrence.

After being checked for a concussion five times last year during his rookie season, Dart was sent to the medical tent after taking a big hit in Saturday's preseason opener against the Minnesota Vikings. The request to undergo his latest concussion check left him "puzzled."

Dart was cleared early in the second quarter of Saturday's 13-10 loss. He said he had the wind knocked out of him before being sent to the medical tent.

"As far as the blue tent, I really respect the rules and the thought behind the NFL has of keeping players healthy and reviewing things," Dart said. "But at the same time, I'm still puzzled by it just feeling like every time that I get hit, I find my way in there, which, at times, I still try to wrap my head around."

Dart was diagnosed with one concussion last year that cost him two games. This might be how he will be treated as a result.

"If a normal QB takes that hit, I'm sure not much is going to be said about it," right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor said. "But, you know, when we play in New York and it's Jaxson Dart, I'm assuming people are going to make it bigger than it actually is.

"I guess that is just the reality we live in right now. People are going to blow things up that don't really necessarily have to be blown up."

When Dart was asked if this is his new reality, he said he was done addressing the situation.

Dart was on the ground for a few seconds Saturday after the final play of the first quarter, when running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. missed a block. Coach John Harbaugh focused on what went wrong on the play.

"My feelings in that moment was we need to block better," Harbaugh said. "That's what my feeling was."

The Giants' medical staff checked on Dart in between quarters. The medical spotter in a booth high above called for the concussion check. It stunned Dart and Harbaugh.

"Honestly, I was [surprised]," Harbaugh said. "But I would say that their job is to err on the side of player safety, so I can't argue with that either."

Dart went into the blue tent for an exam. He was replaced by backup Jameis Winston for two plays, including a third-and-23 conversion.

"I never thought that I was going to be taken out," Dart said. "So I'm going to keep playing until they tell me I'm not playing. I want to be out there."

When Dart returned, he threw a touchdown on the first play. He scrambled left and threw sidearm against his body to rookie wide receiver Malachi Fields, who grabbed the ball over the defender's head for a 15-yard touchdown.

It was the Giants' only touchdown in the contest. It was Dart's final play of the afternoon.

"Was great. I don't know, in the heat of the battle, I didn't think too much about it," Harbaugh said of his quarterback throwing a touchdown pass on the first play after he returned. "But to see him go out there and throw a touchdown pass, I thought was pretty darn cool. I was excited about that. Made me happy."

Dart finished 3-of-4 passing for 26 yards with a touchdown, and he was sacked twice. Harbaugh had no reservations about putting him back in the game after the big hit and being checked for the concussion.

"No, he was fine," he said.br/]