Tuesday brought a new wave of troubling news from the NFC, headlined by a significant setback for one of the league’s youngest quarterbacks.
Jaxson Dart is now dealing with a possible season-ending knee injury after initially appearing to avoid serious injury, and Chicago linebacker Tyson Bagent has entered concussion protocol as Caleb Williams continues to work his way back from a hamstring injury.
Elsewhere, the 49ers added some experienced depth at receiver, signing veteran Brandin Cooks to the practice squad.
Here are the latest from around the NFL on Tuesday.
The outlook for Jaxson Dart took a turn for the worse on Tuesday.
The Giants quarterback’s knee injury suffered in Monday night’s loss to the Rams is more serious than first thought and could keep him out for the rest of the season. according to multiple reports.
The exact nature of the injury has not been revealed, but Dart is expected to be sidelined for an extended period.
Dart was knocked down on New York’s opening drive after being tackled by a pair of defenders on an incomplete pass. He initially powered away and was evaluated in the medical tent before being carted off, with the injury not appearing serious at the time.
Jameis Winston took over in New York’s secondary and played the rest of the Giants’ 28-6 loss, and he will be expected to start every game Dart misses.
The Giants host the Titans and Cardinals over the next two weeks before a stretch against the Commanders, Saints and Texans before their Week 8 homestand. Winston, for his part, went 0-2 as a starter for New York last season and 2-5 with Cleveland in 2024.
Chicago’s quarterback situation was further complicated Tuesday when backup Tyson Bagent entered the NFL’s concussion protocol. according to the NFL Network.
The news adds another layer of uncertainty to a Bears team already dealing with the absence of starter Caleb Williams, who is considered week-to-week with a hamstring injury suffered from a non-contact scrimmage during Sunday’s 9-3 loss to the Vikings.
Bagent came on in relief of Williams and nearly led Chicago to a game-winning drive, going 5-of-9 for 54 yards before being sacked on the final play of the game — the same play believed to have caused the head injury, though the exact timing remains unclear.
With both quarterbacks potentially sidelined, third-string quarterback Case Keenum could be positioned as Chicago’s starting QB against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3.
Veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks is signing with the 49ers’ practice squad, according to the NFL Networkgiving the injury-riddled receiver room a veteran option.
Cooks, 32, joins San Francisco after wide receiver Demarcus Robinson is dealing with a sprained ankle from Week 2, and Mike Evans suffered a groin injury in the win over Miami. Both injuries add to an already thin 49ers quarterback that is already missing Ricky Pearsall for the season and De’Zhaun Stribling for roughly two months after ankle surgery.
The 2014 first-round pick has played for six teams in 12 NFL seasons, including stops with New Orleans, New England, the Rams, Houston, Dallas and Buffalo, and finished last season with the Bills after being waived by the Saints in November.
He brings career totals of 734 catches for 9,811 yards, 60 touchdowns and six 1,000-yard seasons to a 49ers offense that has been hit hard by injuries at the position.
