Jameis Winston starting for Giants at QB vs. Packers with Jaxson Dart ruled out

With Jaxson Dart in the NFL’s concussion protocol, the New York Giants will have a different starting quarterback on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. Interim coach Mike Kafka told reporters Wednesday that the team will go with Jameis Winston at center, not Russell Wilson.

Wilson completed 3 of 7 passes for 45 yards and took two sacks in place of Dart as the Giants lost their fourth double-digit lead of the season to the Chicago Bears. After the Giants fired Brian Daboll, interim coach Kafka made the decision to place Winston above the 36-year-old on the depth chart. Dart was officially ruled out Friday due to his concussion.

Winston was technically inactive for the entire 2025 season as the Giants’ third emergency quarterback. He last played for the Cleveland Browns in 2024, going 2-5 as a starter while throwing for 2,121 yards, 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 12 total games played.

Jameis Winston’s departures from weeks 8 to 15 last season

Winston made the Pro Bowl in his first NFL season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and led the NFL in passing yards in 2019 with 5,109. That was the same year he recorded the first “30 and 30” season in NFL history, throwing 33 touchdowns and 30 interceptions. It was his final season in Tampa, then he headed to the New Orleans Saints. Winston went 6-4 as a starter in New Orleans for four seasons, as injuries began to affect his availability. Known for his boom-or-bust game, Kafka hopes he can unleash this attack.

As for Dart, this is the fourth time the rookie quarterback has been evaluated for a concussion this season. He has five straight games with a rushing touchdown and is the fifth quarterback since 1970 to average 200 passing yards per game and 40 rushing yards per game in his first seven career starts.