The NFL is looking into whether the New York Giants properly adhered to concussion protocol with rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart on Thursday night, and head coach Brian Daboll’s actions on the sideline may have been what sparked the investigation.
Dart was hit by multiple defenders when he was sacked during the third quarter of the Giants’ 34-17 Week 6 win over the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. He was shaken up on the play and was tended to by trainers on the field, which led to him being removed from the game and checked for a concussion.
Russell Wilson took over for a few plays (and was met with boos from fans) before Dart was cleared and returned. On Friday, the NFL announced that there will be a joint review with the NFLPA to determine whether the Giants followed the appropriate concussion protocol steps with Dart.
While Dart was being examined on the sideline, Daboll was seen popping his head into the blue medical tent where trainers were evaluating the quarterback. The coach was then seen lambasting Giants team physician Dr. Scott Rodeo. Amazon announcers Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit got a kick out of Daboll’s behavior.
Coach Daboll was on mission to get his guy back on the field last night 😆 @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/ErM9j4NNeF
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) October 10, 2025
Daboll told reporters after the game that he apologized to Rodeo. He admitted that he just wanted some answers about whether Dart was going to be cleared so that Daboll could decide what he wanted to do on fourth down.
Brian Daboll talks about going into the medical tent when Jaxson Dart was being evaluated with a concussion:
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) October 10, 2025
"I apologized directly to our team physician. I just wanted his ass out there if he was okay… I'm like 'is he gonna be good or not I'm gonna call a timeout on 4th down… pic.twitter.com/qP2V8w3etQ
Daboll emphasized that Dart’s health was his top priority, but league officials might feel that the coach was trying to exert pressure on the Giants’ medical staff. Coaches, players and team staff are not allowed to enter the medical tent while a player is being examined.
Giants owner John Mara, who is on the NFL’s Health and Safety committee, issued a statement on Friday addressing the incident. Mara said he “firmly” believes that Daboll was “not trying to influence the process in any way” but that he spoke with the coach about adhering to league protocols.
#Giants statement from John Mara on Brian Daboll’s approaching the medical tent while Jaxson Dart was being evaluated. pic.twitter.com/UMuU3aepGZ
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 10, 2025
NFL rules state that teams can be fined up to $150,000 for a first violation of the concussion protocol. We have seen instances in the past where teams were disciplined.
It is possible that the NFL and NFLPA were going to look into the Giants” handling of Dart regardless, but Daboll’s sideline behavior may have been the real catalyst behind the probe.
