Jaxson Dart’s preseason reps are already carrying a little extra weight, and Friday night against the Miami Dolphins could give him something he hasn’t had much of yet: a clean look behind a full offensive line.
That possibility hinges on John Michael Schmitz. The Giants’ veteran center missed last Saturday’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings while working back from a concussion, leaving Dart with only four of his five starting linemen in front of him. Schmitz had gone down during an Aug. 7 practice after getting hurt in an 11-on-11 team drill.
Schmitz was back on the field earlier this week, but as of Tuesday afternoon, John Harbaugh had not said whether he’ll play Friday night. If he does, it would matter less as a headline and more as a practical upgrade for Dart, who needs every possible snap with his starting group intact.
That’s especially true because Dart’s offseason has already been defined by his willingness to take hits. Trainers evaluated him for a concussion at least five times as a rookie, and against the Vikings he briefly went to the blue tent after absorbing a hard shot. He passed the test right away, came back into the game, and threw a touchdown.
Last Saturday only reinforced the reality that the NFL is going to be careful with him. Dart was clearly frustrated, but once a head injury check is triggered, he has no say in the matter. The league can’t afford another concussion for him, not with the conversation around football’s violence waiting right there beneath the surface.
That puts a huge burden on the offensive line, and on Schmitz in particular if he’s able to suit up. Interior linemen do not get much margin for error, and the job is brutally simple: keep the quarterback upright. The source material points to Richie Incognito as the kind of player teams tolerated for one overriding reason - he was reliable enough in the middle to make the rest of the equation work.
Schmitz is not being compared to Incognito on or off the field. The point is narrower than that. If Dart’s health is going to hold up, the five men protecting him have to do more than the bare minimum.
And that’s why the Giants would love to keep Jameis Winston where he belongs: on the sideline unless the game is out of hand or it’s time for the postgame celebration. The blue tent, in the simplest terms, is the place everyone in New York wants to see less of.
If the Giants ever get all of this right, maybe that’s the path to something bigger. The source material puts it plainly: win the first Super Bowl in 15 years, rip apart the blue tent, and hand the leftovers to fans celebrating at the Canyon of Heroes. Roger Goodell would probably enjoy that view, too.
In Other News...
Giants Roster Battle Puts Familiar Names Under Real Pressure In Miami
With several roster spots still up for grabs, the Giants head into their preseason matchup with the Dolphins with more on the line than just another August tuneup. For players like Najee Harris, Joshua Ezeudu and Odell Beckham Jr., this is the kind of week that can quietly reshape a depth chart, especially when a team is still sorting out how the bottom of the roster should look.
Miami offers the Giants one more chance to see who handles the moment instead of just the reps. For veterans and hopefuls alike, a strong showing would not settle every question, but it could sharpen the conversation around who is earning more trust as roster decisions get closer. [Read more 🡒]
Giants May Have Found Two Early Answers For Jaxson Dart
A practice against the Dolphins offered a useful snapshot of where the Giants may be finding help around Jaxson Dart. Rookie wideout Malachi Fields stood out by hauling in multiple deep passes from the young quarterback, a sign that the two are already building the kind of timing New York has been looking for as it sorts out Darts supporting cast.
Najee Harris added another encouraging layer by finishing a red-zone drill with a touchdown, giving the Giants a look at a veteran back who can bring immediate value after his recent arrival. Head coach John Harbaugh came away pleased with both players work and their readiness, and for a Giants team trying to settle on answers early, those are the kinds of practice reps that matter. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Roster Battles Hit A Crucial Point Against Miami
The Giants head into their preseason meeting with Miami knowing the evaluation window is getting tighter. With John Harbaugh suggesting only a few starters may see the field, the value of every snap goes up for the backups trying to separate themselves, especially along the offensive line and at cornerback, where the roster math is still very much in flux.
Jake Haeners arrival adds another layer to the competition after Brandon Allens rough outing put the quarterback depth picture back under scrutiny. For a team still sorting out the bottom of the roster, this is the sort of game that can quietly shape the next few weeks, with practice squad spots and depth roles hanging in the balance. [Read more 🡒]