NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart’s third career start was undoubtedly his best. The rookie threw for 195 yards in the New York Giants’ 34-17 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
But before Dart could officially celebrate the second victory of his NFL career, the 22-year-old entered the medical tent to be evaluated for a possible concussion. Russell Wilson, who was the Giants’ starter for the first three games, briefly entered Thursday night’s game.
Giants head coach Brian Daboll became visibly upset once Dart left the game. The team’s head physician, Dr. Scott A. Rodeo, was then caught in the line of fire.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll shouts during a game between the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 9, 2025. (Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Daboll appeared to yell at Dr. Rodeo during a heated exchange while other medical staff checked Dart for a head injury. The rookie quarterback ultimately only missed two games before returning to action.
DAK PRESCOTT MARKS FIRST MVP CLAIM AND WHAT ELSE WE LEARN IN WEEK 5
Nonetheless, the NFL has decided to take a closer look at the team’s implementation of the concussion protocol, ESPN reported Friday. Daboll later apologized for his role in the tense moment with Dr. Rodeo.
Head coach Brian Daboll of the New York Giants walks the field before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on October 9, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
“If you’ve ever been on the sidelines in the NFL, you feel a lot of emotions,” Daboll said during his postgame press briefing. “There’s a lot of emotion. And I’m definitely an emotional guy. I apologized directly to our team doctor. I just wanted him out there if he was OK. But I wanted the process – like we were getting ready to go in there on a potential fourth down. I would have burned a timeout if he could have gotten out there. So, I was asking how long was it going to take?”
At one point, while Dart was with the medical staff, Daboll entered the tent to presumably check on the young quarterback. Giants President and CEO John Mara said he had a conversation with Daboll about his actions during the game.
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll reacts during the second quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on October 9, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Brad Penner/Imagn Images)
“I spoke to Coach Daboll this morning about the approach to the medical tent last night. While I firmly believe, as he stated, that he was not trying to influence the process in any way, he understands that the appearance of going to the tent is inappropriate,” Mara said in a statement.
“We have protocols in place as a league to ensure player safety, and we must allow our medical staff to execute those protocols without interference. We understand that the situation is under review by the NFL and NFLPA, and we will obviously cooperate fully.”
Daboll said he respected the medical staff and reiterated his apologies.
“So, again, you want your guy out there, not risking anything else. But, you know, he’s out. ‘I think he’s going to be good.’ I’m like, “Is he going to be good or not?” I’m going to call a timeout on fourth down and go for this son of a bitch.’ Do you see what I mean? So, I love our doctors. …I apologize. I was wrong.”
The Giants have now won two of their last three games. Meanwhile, the Eagles have lost two games in a row.
