# Giants' injury nightmare isn't quite a season killer

> New York lost four key players to injuries in a blowout loss to the Rams, but early signs suggest most will return sooner than feared.
- Title: Giants' injury nightmare isn't quite a season killer
- Summary: New York lost four key players to injuries in a blowout loss to the Rams, but early signs suggest most will return sooner than feared. Jaxson Dart's MCL…
- Keywords: new york giants, jaxson dart, mcl sprain, brian burns, malik nabers, andrew thomas, los angeles rams, john harbaugh, jameis winston, nfl injuries, week 2, sports
- Source: CBS Sports — https://cbssports.com/nfl/news/only-silver-lining-to-new-york-giants-no-good-very-bad-night
- Published: 2026-09-22T15:06:37+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: new york giants, jaxson dart, mcl sprain, brian burns, malik nabers, andrew thomas, los angeles rams, john harbaugh, jameis winston, nfl injuries, week 2, sports
## Giants' optimism deflates in Rams loss
New York lost 28-6 to Los Angeles in Week 2, but the real damage was four key injuries that left fans fearing the worst for their season.
## Dart's MCL sprain isn't season-ending
Quarterback Jaxson Dart suffered a sprained MCL on the first drive, but X-rays were negative and he appeared on the sideline later in street clothes, suggesting it's not a long-term injury.

> going to be OK
## Four to six weeks is the likely timeline
A lip-read from the Monday Night Football broadcast suggests Dart could miss four to six weeks, which aligns with a Grade 2 MCL sprain. An MRI will confirm the exact severity.
## Nabers' shoulder injury looks minor
The star receiver dislocated his shoulder late in the first quarter, popped it back in himself, and returned to play. He'll get an X-ray but likely won't miss time.

> popped out and I just popped it back in
## Burns has a low-ankle sprain
Pass rusher Brian Burns was rolled up on late in the game but walked off under his own power. Head coach John Harbaugh confirmed it's a low-ankle sprain, not the more serious high-ankle variety.

> It wasn't as bad as it felt, so that's a plus
## Thomas' groin injury remains unclear
Left tackle Andrew Thomas left the game in the fourth quarter with a groin injury. Coach Harbaugh was vague about his status, only saying the injuries aren't life-threatening.

> None of these injuries are life-threatening
## Giants face a winnable stretch ahead
If Dart goes on injured reserve for four weeks, New York plays Tennessee, Arizona, Washington, and New Orleans. The first three are winnable, especially with Washington weakened by Jayden Daniels' injury.
## Jameis Winston must manage the offense
Backup Jameis Winston struggled in relief, completing 11 of 27 passes for 111 yards and an interception. Harbaugh and coordinator Matt Nagy must lean on the ground game and limit Winston's mistakes.
## The sky isn't actually falling
While Monday's loss was brutal, the injury prognosis is better than feared. With a favorable schedule and a backup plan, the Giants can survive Dart's absence and stay in contention.
## Key takeaway

Jaxson Dart's MCL sprain could sideline him four to six weeks, but the Giants face a winnable stretch without him before things get tougher.