EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The full Jaxson Dart experience was on display Saturday afternoon at MetLife Stadium. The New York Giants quarterback’s preseason debut in his second season felt like an extension of his rollercoaster rookie year, complete with a requisite visit to the sideline medical tent.

The hit that sent Dart for a concussion check was not the result of him playing recklessly or failing to protect himself while running the ball. Instead, it was a pass protection breakdown that left blitzing Vikings safety Jay Ward unblocked off the right edge. With Dart looking to his left, he didn’t see Ward until the safety’s helmet crashed into his chest.

Dart lay motionless for a moment before getting up as the first quarter ended. The independent concussion spotters signaled for Dart to get examined during the break between quarters, so he made the familiar trek to the hastily erected blue tent.

It was a scene that took place five times last season, when Dart was only diagnosed with one concussion, which caused him to miss two games. As was the case on four of those checks last season, Dart was quickly cleared on Saturday. He missed only two plays, including a 40-yard catch-and-run on a screen by running back Devin Singletary to put the ball deep in Vikings territory.

Dart returned to the field for a second-and-12 from Minnesota’s 15-yard line. On his first snap, Dart dropped back and couldn’t find an open receiver, so he escaped from the pocket to his left and flipped the ball into the end zone to rookie wide receiver Malachi Fields, who used his 6-foot-4 frame to snatch the ball over 5-foot-10 linebacker Ivan Pace.

That was Dart’s final play of the day, as he was removed after completing 3-of-4 passes for 26 yards. His performance included the improvised touchdown pass, two sacks and the trip to the tent. It all felt very familiar as Dart kicked off his second season under new coach John Harbaugh.

“I really respect the rules and the thought behind the NFL has of keeping players healthy and reviewing things, but at the same time, I’m still puzzled by it just feeling like every time that I get hit, I find my way in there,” Dart said. “Which at times, I still try to wrap my head around, but that’s all that I’m going to say about that situation. I’m really happy with how the drive ended.”

Harbaugh bluntly said, “We need to block better,” when describing the hit on Dart. Dart attributed it to a miscommunication in the protection scheme. Running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. was late to recognize Ward’s blitz and whiffed as the safety blew past him with a direct line to Dart.

BIG FOOTBALL HITS ARE SO BACK.

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— NFL (@NFL) August 15, 2026

“I heard something that had my eyes on the wrong side,” Tracy said. “It was really just on me. I heard something, had my eyes on the other side, and that was really it.”

The Giants’ first drive also ended in a sack that Dart said resulted from another miscommunication. The Vikings blitzed on third-and-10, and Dart wanted to get the ball out quickly to safety valve Isaiah Likely running a slant on the right side. But Dart double-clutched as Vikings safety Theo Jackson broke on Likely’s route. Dart tried to weave out of the pocket, but was quickly dropped for a sack.

That there were such prominent miscommunications on Dart’s two drives demonstrated why Harbaugh had the healthy offensive starters (except for left tackle Andrew Thomas) play. The goal is to use the preseason to work out the kinks of a new offense while limiting injury risk.

.@UnoErra gets to Dart on 3rd down 💪

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— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 15, 2026

“We played all of our starting offense, except for our left tackle, and I felt like he didn’t need it — he would be fine,” Harbaugh said. “But felt like the other guys playing together was important, especially with Jaxson out there. And our quarterback got, I don’t know, 10, 15 plays out there of good football. So, he’s going to be that much better for the regular season than he would have been if he hadn’t played those games.”

The Giants lost 13-10 in a game that saw the Vikings play most of their starters for one drive on each side of the ball. The Giants’ starters mostly played two series, although several veteran defenders — defensive tackle DJ Reader, defensive tackle Shelby Harris, outside linebacker Brian Burns, inside linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and safety Jevon Holland — were held out of the game.

Here are five more takeaways from the Giants’ first game action in seven months:

Rookie ready to roll

Fields strengthened his push for the No. 2 receiver job, catching three passes for 34 yards and a touchdown. The TD showed good instincts — he followed Dart toward the left sideline while the quarterback scrambled — and his natural ability, as he used his size to leap over Pace to make the catch.

Fields also showed strong hands on his other two catches. The Giants hope No. 1 receiver Malik Nabers will do more next week, as he ramps up his recovery from a torn ACL and meniscus with a goal of being ready for the season opener. Even when Nabers is back in the lineup, the Giants still have questions at the other receiver spots. Fields has made an early claim to be the No. 2 at the position, especially with this blocking ability valued in what promises to be a run-heavy offense. No other receivers made a splash on Saturday, with Darius Slayton, Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin III getting first-team reps alongside Fields.

Odell Beckham Jr. predictably drew cheers from the home crowd when he checked into the game late in the second quarter. Beckham made his first catch in a Giants uniform since 2018 when he snagged a Jameis Winston slant for a 7-yard gain before halftime.

The @Giants crowd giving a big ovation for @obj as he checks into the game 💙

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— NFL (@NFL) August 15, 2026

Beckham could have had a storybook return to MetLife Stadium if Winston had spotted him streaking open down the middle of the field when the Vikings busted a coverage later in the drive. But Winston was looking the other way, firing a slant to Fields for a first down on third-and-5. Beckham was the intended receiver on Brandon Allen’s interception on a pass over the middle in the third quarter.

Beckham finished with two catches for just six yards. His name and history draws far more attention than the typical receiver fighting for a roster spot, so it’s magnified every time he’s open and doesn’t get the ball. But the reality is the 33-year-old needs to produce to command a roster spot and the clock is ticking.

Big miss

The missed block was a major strike against Tracy, who has been the back in passing situations throughout camp. Despite Tracy’s history as a receiver, pass protection is the most important job for a back in that role. Tracy finished with two carries for five yards.

“I told (Dart) it’s not going to happen again, which it won’t,” Tracy said. “I don’t really have many of those on my film pass-blocking wise.”

Cam Skattebo took another step toward cementing his place at the top of the running back depth chart with four carries for 19 yards. In his first game action since a gruesome ankle injury last October, it was clear that Skattebo has maintained his smash-mouth running style.

“I thought I saw the Cam Skattebo that you guys all know and saw last year,” Harbaugh said.

Singletary’s experience could make him an alternative as the passing down back if the coaching staff loses trust in Tracy. Skattebo also has receiving ability, but it’s not realistic for him to play every snap. Singletary’s weaving run after the screen catch was aided by a lead block from rookie right guard Francis Mauigoa.

Don’t panic yet

It was disconcerting to watch Vikings running back Aaron Jones rip off an 18-yard run on the first play of the game, but it would be premature to sound alarms about the run defense. It’s important to note that the three biggest pieces added to bolster the run defense — Reader, Harris and Edmunds — were spectators. It was encouraging to see rookie linebacker Arvell Reese drop Jordan Mason by shedding a block and meeting the running back at the line on Minnesota’s opening drive.

Even with Burns sidelined, the Giants provided a glimpse of the modern version of their NASCAR pass rush package. Darius Alexander was the lone defensive lineman on the field on a third-and-7 on Minnesota’s opening drive with outside linebacker Chauncey Golston rushing inside and Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux on the edge.

Thibodeaux will slide inside in Golston’s place when Burns is back on the edge. Thibodeaux checked out after the first series and had a wrap on his right shin on the bench, but Harbaugh said he’s fine. Running back Dante Miller limped off after covering a punt and was laboring after the game.

Secondary outlook

Harbaugh said the Giants came out of the game healthy and should get some injured players back next week. Cornerbacks Dru Phillips (knee) and Greg Newsome (knee) participated in Thursday’s jog-through practice, so they seem close to returning. Cornerback Paulson Adebo (hamstring) was working on the side with a trainer during Thursday’s practice.

With so many corners injured, Deonte Banks and Colton Hood started and played the entire first half. While Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson-less passing offense didn’t make any big plays, Banks was flagged twice for penalties in coverage. That has been a trend throughout his career. Hood was called for illegal contact while giving up a 17-yard completion. The wide-open cornerback competition will pick up with the veterans returning to health.

Tyler Nubin started at safety alongside Ar’Darius Washington. Jason Pinnock mixed into the safety rotation in the second quarter. Nubin made a nice play to break up a crosser in the second quarter.

Special (teams) considerations

Braxton Berrios’ path to a roster spot will come as a returner. Averaging 15 yards on his two punt returns will strengthen his case. It seems telling that Berrios was the top punt returner and was also back on kickoffs with Banks to start the game.

There weren’t many opportunities to showcase the kicking competition. Ben Sauls nailed a 46-yard field goal at the end of the first half on the only attempt of the game for either kicker. Dominic Zvada was slated to kick in the second half, but he wasn’t called on. Harbaugh passed on attempting a 62-yard game-tying attempt with 2:22 remaining. The Vikings ran out the clock after the Giants punted.