Jaxon Dart takes significant step as few hurdles remain before Giants return

There is no stage of the restrictive NFL concussion protocol that prohibits Jaxson Dart from talking X’s and O’s with his teammates.

Especially with receivers who weren’t on the Giants the last time that Dart threw an official pass but now occupy the locker next to his.

“We’ve been able to just to talk on some mistakes that were made during the game, how he sees it, some different plays we have installed, how he wants me to run certain stuff,” Isaiah Hodgins, who has 99 yards and a touchdown in two games since rejoining the Giants for a fourth season, told The Post.

“Last week, I was able to throw with him a little bit, so I was able to see how he releases the ball and how he’s not afraid to throw the ball when someone might see a dead route or say, ‘My quarterback would never throw this.’ He’d be the one to throw that ball. Even in walk-throughs, he does that just to keep receivers alive and let you know you’re always an option. It elevates everyone’s game.”

Dart took a significant step Wednesday toward returning to start against the Patriots when he was a full practice participant for the first time since he suffered a concussion on Nov. 9, according to interim head coach Mike Kafka. No official injury report is required until Thursday for teams playing on Monday.

All that stands in the way now is medical clearance from an independent neurologist, which could come as early as Thanksgiving despite players having the day off from the facility. Dart was first up in drills while the media watched Wednesday’s practice, but that was the case early last week, too, before his surprise scratch.

“Last week, man, he was determined to play — it’s just that the NFL has a strict protocol,” backup quarterback Jameis Winston said.

“I was grateful [to start], but at the same time I felt for him because I know how much work he puts in and I know how he prepares. I told him I had his back. We’re not doing anything different. We’re still having the same conversations. He’s still putting in the work, and hopefully this week he’ll be able to bounce back and help lead us to a win.”

There is a cautious case to be made for sitting Dart against the Patriots and giving him another two weeks — the Giants (2-10) have a Week 14 bye — to heal.

“He saw the doctors that he needed to see last week, and he’ll see the doctors that he needs to see this week,” Kafka said. “I’d lean on the professional opinions of the doctors and where they’re at. But if he’s ready to play, just like any player, then we have a plan for him, then we’ll put him in.”

Winston wouldn’t argue with another start after his 366-yard passing performance.

“As a competitor … yeah, I want to play,” Winston said. “That’s just my heart. I love this game. I love being the general that’s leading the guys. At the same time, what’s my role? My role if Jaxson is playing, I’m supporting him like I would be supporting myself.”

The Giants condensed Wednesday’s practice by replacing some full-speed reps with walk-through reps, Kafka said. He planned to give Winston some first-team reps in case Dart’s progression doesn’t go as expected.

“When [Friday] it was announced that he wasn’t playing, he was still acting like he was preparing to play,” receiver Wan’Dale Robinson said. “I just think that just goes to show his maturity.”

If Dart plays Monday, he will be opposite the Patriots’ Drake Maye, who was the apple of the Giants front office’s eye early in the 2024 draft process. The Giants couldn’t pull off a trade from No. 6 to No. 3 and wound up with Malik Nabers.

Does Dart compare favorably to Maye?

“It’s really hard to kind of get to that type of talk when you talk about quarterbacks,” said Kafka, who evaluated both as offensive coordinator. “They’re all different systems across the league, really.”

Hodgins is ready to put the locker room chit-chat with Dart into action in Kafka’s system whenever the time comes.

“Just from watching him,” said Hodgins, who was with the Steelers to start the season, “I instantly noticed his pocket presence and how he can keep the play alive. He’s got zip behind the ball, so I’m excited to play with him.”