NFL investigating Giants, coach Brian Daboll, for handling of Jaxson Dart's concussion evaluation vs. Eagles
Daboll, who was anxious to get Dart back in the game, could be subject to league discipline

The NFL, in conjunction with the NFL Players Association, has opened a review into the application of the concussion protocol involving quarterback Jaxson Dart during the New York Giants' 34-17 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday Night, CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones reports. The review concerns the actions of Giants coach Brian Daboll, who looked into the medical tent and was later shown yelling at the team doctor following an injury to Dart in the third quarter.
After taking a hit while running the ball, Dart was slow to get up before walking off the field and to the Giants' sideline, where he entered the blue medical tent in order to be evaluated for a concussion. Visibly anxious to the point of losing his composure, Daboll was seen walking over to the medical tent in order to check on Dart, and he was also spotted yelling at Giants head physician Dr. Scott A. Rodeo during the sequence.
Brian Daboll checking in on his QB pic.twitter.com/R27Dj99Cef
— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) October 10, 2025
Daboll and the Giants could be subject to league discipline depending on what the league's investigation yields, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Non-medical personnel are not allowed inside the medical tent during player evaluations.
Brian Daboll & the doctor pic.twitter.com/mX4ssIuPrW
— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) October 10, 2025
Daboll apologized after game, has yet to hear from NFL
Daboll, for his part, apologized for his actions in his postgame press conference Thursday night.
"I apologized directly to our team physician. I just wanted his ass out there if he was okay," Daboll said. "But I wanted the process, like we were getting ready to go for it on a potential fourth down, I would have burned a timeout if he could have come out there. I was asking how long was it going to take. Again, you want your guy out there. Not at risk of anything else. But he came out. I think he's going to be good. 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 b----.
"I love our doctors. ... I apologized. I was in the wrong."
Daboll in his Friday media availability said he had not heard from the league in regards to his actions on the sideline, but maintained that he respects the process of the NFL's concussion protocol and takes matters of player health and safety seriously.
"Like I said last night, I went in, didn't actually go in, just stuck my head in to see how our quarterback was doing. In no way would I want a player to come back out there that wasn't ready to play," Daboll said. "I think I have great respect for that process. I know [Giants co-owner John Mara] is on the competition committee relative to health and safety. That's very important to him. We've spoken about that. I was wondering if it took 10 minutes, if it takes an hour, if it takes two minutes. That's really where I was with asking the question that I asked when I was on the sideline to make a decision on the game.
"Health and safety is important to us, it's important to me, and that's what I'll say with that."
John Mara addresses controversy
Following Daboll's comments on Friday, Giants co-owner, President & CEO John Mara said in a statement that he spoke to the coach Friday morning concerning his actions approaching the medical tent.
"While I firmly believe, as he has 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. "We have protocols in place as a league to ensure player safety, and we need to allow our medical staff to execute those protocols without interference. We understand the situation is under review by the NFL and the NFLPA, and obviously we will cooperate fully."
— New York Giants (@Giants) October 10, 2025
Given his standing as Giants owner and a key member of the NFL's competition committee, the incident involving Daboll marks an unnecessary headache for Mara, particularly given the good feelings that Thursday night's win should have generated. Mara, who recently announced that he has been diagnosed with cancer, was in attendance for the Giants' win and received a game ball in the locker room following the 34-17 victory.
Dart returned to field, led Giants to win
In addition to Daboll, Cam Skattebo, the Giants' emerging star rookie running back, was also seen trying to check on Dart inside the blue medical tent. Dart would miss just two plays, but the drive would end as backup quarterback Russell Wilson missed a throw on third down to a torrent of boos from the crowd.
Dart's trip to the medical tent was the lone blemish in his night, as he turned in a strong performance to win his first NFC East divisional game and his first against the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, who have long served as the Giants' tormentors.
Dart went 17 of 25 passing for 195 yards and a touchdown while also running the ball 13 times for 58 yards and another touchdown, giving him an undefeated record at home to start his young career.