Tuesday brought troubling developments around the NFC, highlighted by a major blow to one of the conference’s promising young quarterbacks. Jaxson Dart’s knee injury from Monday night’s loss to the Rams appears to be worse than first thought and could sideline him for the remainder of the season, according to multiple reports. Although the exact diagnosis hasn’t been disclosed, Dart — who left on New York’s opening drive after being hit following an incomplete pass, initially walking off under his own power and later evaluated before being ruled out — is expected to miss significant time. Jameis Winston replaced him on the second drive and finished the game, and would likely start any contests Dart cannot play. The Giants’ next three home games are against the Titans and Cardinals, followed by matchups with the Commanders, Saints and Texans before their Week 8 bye; Winston’s recent starting record includes 0-2 with New York last season and 2-5 with Cleveland in 2024.
Chicago’s quarterback picture grew more uncertain as backup Tyson Bagent entered the NFL concussion protocol, per NFL Network. Bagent stepped in for starter Caleb Williams — who is week-to-week with a hamstring injury sustained on a non-contact scramble in Sunday’s 9-3 loss to Minnesota — and nearly orchestrated a game-winning drive, going 5-for-9 for 54 yards before being sacked on the final play, which is believed to have caused the head injury. If both Williams and Bagent are unavailable, veteran Case Keenum could be the Bears’ starter when they visit the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3.
In San Francisco, the 49ers added veteran wideout Brandin Cooks to their practice squad, giving an experienced option to a receiver group being hammered by injuries. Cooks, 32, arrives as Demarcus Robinson deals with an ankle sprain and Mike Evans is nursing a hip issue; the unit is already without Ricky Pearsall for the season and De’Zhaun Stribling for roughly two months following ankle surgery. A 2014 first-round pick, Cooks has played 12 NFL seasons with six teams (New Orleans, New England, the Rams, Houston, Dallas and Buffalo), finished last season with the Bills after being waived by the Saints, and brings career totals of 734 catches, 9,811 yards, 60 touchdowns and six 1,000-yard campaigns.
Fan take: Quarterback injuries like Dart’s and Chicago’s depth issues can reshuffle playoff hopes and force teams to lean on veterans or lesser-known backups, changing the trajectory of a season quickly. Meanwhile, the 49ers signing Brandin Cooks shows how valuable proven experience is when injuries decimate a position group — it could be a low-risk move that pays big dividends down the stretch.
Source: www.foxsports.com
