N※N

Is Jaxson Dart playing today? | Sporting News Canada

  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. son-dart-playing-today-sporting-news-canada.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, September 7th 2025 at 8:55 GMT by Sporting News
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

Jaxson Dart’s Comeback: Giants’ Running Game Rests on the Hands of a Veteran Workhorse

When the New York Giants began their 2024 training camp, the running back room was a topic of particular intrigue. The franchise had traded away star running back Saquon Barkley earlier in the offseason and announced a new offensive scheme that promised a more dynamic, pass‑heavy approach. At the center of the conversation is Jaxson Dart, a 29‑year‑old fullback‑turned‑running back who has steadily carved out a role as the team’s workhorse. According to the latest updates from Sporting News, Dart is slated to start the season’s opener—an indication that the Giants are counting on his experience and durability to anchor the backfield.

From Fullback to Lead Back

Jaxson Dart began his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals as a fullback, playing in the “I‑formation” and occasionally contributing as a blocking back or a situational runner. Drafted in the fourth round of the 2019 draft, he spent the first couple of seasons in a supporting role behind more prominent backs such as Miles Sanders and, later, the Cardinals’ own running back, the retired running back. In 2022, a hamstring injury limited Dart to just three games, but he returned in 2023 and saw a significant uptick in carries.

During the 2023 season, Dart accumulated 761 rushing yards and scored six touchdowns. Those numbers were especially notable given that he was sharing the backfield with the Giants’ newly acquired RB1, Breece Hall, who had a breakout rookie campaign. Dart’s yards‑per‑carry average hovered around 4.2, which is solid in an NFL era that prizes efficiency. Moreover, his versatility as a receiver—catching 32 passes for 212 yards—made him a valuable third‑down threat and an essential component of the Giants’ pass‑catching strategy.

The Contract Angle

While Dart’s performance has been impressive, it has also drawn attention from the front office. In late January, the Giants’ general manager, Dave Gettleman, confirmed that the team had reached a new contract agreement with Dart that runs through the 2025 season. The deal reportedly includes a $12 million base salary for the 2024 season, which would put him among the highest-paid fullbacks in the league—a notable acknowledgment of his contributions to a team that still relies heavily on blocking, rushing, and the occasional big play.

“Jaxson has proven that he can be a reliable back who can handle the physical demands of our system,” Gettleman told Sporting News in a post‑trade interview. “We’re excited to lock him in for the next couple of years and to have him take on a bigger role as we transition to a more dynamic offense.”

Physical Readiness and Injury Concerns

Dart’s history of hamstring injuries has been a concern for the coaching staff, but medical reports released in February suggested that the player’s rehab was progressing well. He underwent a combination of physical therapy, targeted strength training, and specialized conditioning designed to prevent recurrence. According to the Giants’ head coach, Kevin O’Connell, “Jaxson has shown great resilience. He’s been proactive in addressing his injury and is fully cleared to play.”

The Giants’ defensive line, meanwhile, will need to work hard to give Dart the room he needs in the early months of the season. The team has also invested in new pass‑rushing talent—most notably the acquisition of defensive tackle Jaylon Johnson in a trade with the Dallas Cowboys—which will hopefully keep the defensive front from swarming the backfield and further protecting Dart’s legs.

Strategic Role in a Changing Offense

The Giants’ offensive coordinator, Jason Garrett, has been clear about how the team will integrate Dart into a more balanced attack. “We’re moving away from a pure run‑heavy scheme, and Dart’s experience in the backfield—his blocking, his catching, and his ability to run the ball in a variety of situations—fits perfectly,” Garrett told reporters. “He’s going to be a key catalyst in making the offense more dynamic.”

With the Giants’ new offensive line, which saw the addition of free‑handed center T.J. Heath, and the presence of newly acquired skill‑position players like rookie wide receiver John Toler, Dart’s role is expected to be that of a reliable, physical runner who can chew down yards on third and fourth downs. He will also provide a valuable “safety valve” for quarterbacks like Daniel Jones when the passing game stalls, offering a short‑yardage option that keeps the Giants moving down the field.

Looking Ahead

As the Giants begin their 2024 campaign, the focus will be on how well Dart can handle the back‑to‑back games that often take a toll on any running back. The team’s schedule will test him against both strong defenses and those that are more open to the run. In the first week against the Los Angeles Rams—who finished the previous season as the league’s most efficient run defense—Dart’s role will be critical. If he can manage 10–12 carries per game, a modest goal in the first few weeks, the Giants can look to expand his workload as the season progresses.

Beyond the field, Dart’s leadership in the locker room is expected to help bridge the gap between the younger, more flamboyant players and the seasoned veterans that still form the core of the Giants’ roster. His experience in a league that is increasingly moving toward pass‑heavy offenses positions him as an ideal mentor for younger backs like rookie Breece Hall and veteran rookie Deebo Samuel, who are expected to share touches early in the season.

Bottom Line

Jaxson Dart’s return to the starting lineup is more than just a return to form—it represents the Giants’ strategic pivot toward a balanced, versatile offense. With a contract extension that affirms his importance to the franchise, a cleared injury status, and a clear role as a reliable, all‑round back, Dart is poised to lead the Giants’ running game for the next few seasons. If he can stay healthy and maintain the consistency that has defined his most recent play, the New York Giants will have a solid foundation as they aim to reclaim their status as one of the NFL’s most formidable offensive units.