Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart is out for the season, head coach John Harbaugh confirms

Jaxson Dart is once again the Giants' future at quarterback now that his feared season-ending left knee injury has become a reality.

Following speculation that Dart may not have hurt himself that badly during Monday night's loss to the Los Angeles Rams, head coach John Harbaugh confirmed multiple reports Wednesday saying Dart did in fact suffer severe injuries when he was sandwiched by two defenders early in the 28-6 defeat.

"It's a big loss, for sure. I mean, it's your starting quarterback. Tough loss," Harbaugh said. "He was in the meeting this morning. I think he's determined. He's bummed. It's hard. The season is not over, but it is for him."

ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter initially reported the second-year quarterback sustained damage to his MCL, PCL, and meniscus, while the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said while Dart's ACL is still intact, surgery is coming to repair everything else.

Harbaugh said Dart will have surgery soon and is ruled out for the rest of the regular season, leaving the door open for a potential return in the playoffs, should the Giants qualify.

Nonetheless, the loss of Dart for any stretch of time is a massive blow to the rebuilding Giants, who came into the season expecting to challenge for a postseason spot. They went out and hired Harbaugh, who was coming off a successful 18-year run with the Baltimore Ravens that included a Super Bowl championship and 12 postseason appearances, for precisely that reason.

Dart's sophomore season got off to a terrific start as he threw for 230 yards and three touchdowns, and ran for 54 yards in the Giants' 28-20 victory over the visiting Dallas Cowboys in Week 1.

However, in the first quarter on Monday night, Dart dropped back to pass and was crunched by Rams defenders Byron Young and Josaiah Stewart. Replays show Dart's left leg hyperextending.

Dart stayed down on the turf for several minutes before walking off the field under his own power. He was initially listed as questionable to return, but that designation was downgraded to out at halftime. In the hours after the Giants' loss stretching into Tuesday, there was a thought by some that he had only suffered a sprained MCL and wouldn't miss significant time.

But the MRI clearly told a different story.

New starter Jameis Winston is no stranger to the spotlight

Going forward, the Giants (1-1) will put their faith in veteran Jameis Winston, who was a lackluster 11-of-27 for 111 yards and an interception in relief of Dart on Monday. His next chance will come against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

"I have to execute better, and I am going to execute better," Winston said. "No matter how big it may seem, being present and focus on doing all that you can do with what you have, with where you are. For right now, that's keeping Jaxson's spirits uplifted and going out there on that football field and being the New York Football Giants' starting quarterback."

Harbaugh said his team will get over the loss of Dart quickly and will be prepared to play.

"You feel like it's the end of the world, then you wake up and the world's not done. The world keeps spinning. The games keep getting played. Nobody feels sorry for you. It's time to go play the next game," Harbaugh said. "Sunday at 1 o'clock, the ball is going to get kicked off, and we're going to have to be the best football team we can be. And that's the thing, it's not a one-man game. It's not tennis. You don't forfeit. We are going to have our team out there. The Giants are going to roll out onto that field out there and play a football game, and we need to be the best Giants we can be. That's really the message."

Even though Winston, 32, who signed a two-year, $13 million contract extension with the Giants on Sept. 7, will be the starter, Harbaugh said an effort will be made to bring in another quarterback, at least as insurance.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft after guiding Florida State to the national championship the year before, Winston has extensive NFL experience, throwing for nearly 25,000 yards and 156 touchdowns during his 12-year career.

He was the starter for the majority of his five seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before going to the New Orleans Saints and, later, the Cleveland Browns.

"He can throw it," Harbaugh said. "He's a big, strong passing quarterback. He can throw the ball. Everybody that follows football has seen him play. His strengths are evident. That's what you build around."

Harbaugh added he's not too concerned about what he saw from Winston on Monday night.

"Jameis has been practicing every day. He's taken reps. He knows the offense. He's been in every single meeting. He's been engaged every step of the way with everything we're doing. From that perspective, it's seamless. It's not ideal at all, but it's definitely seamless," Harbaugh said.

Winston said his mentality right now is "one game at a time."

That may be a classic sports cliché, but it's how the Giants are going to have to operate the rest of the way.