The New York Giants have made a roster move to shore up their quarterback room, promoting Jake Haener from the practice squad to the active roster ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Tennessee Titans. The move comes in the wake of the devastating news that second-year QB Jaxson Dart will miss the remainder of the regular season after undergoing knee surgery on Friday.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Haener, who originally signed with the team in mid-August and was re-signed to the practice squad on September 2, will now serve as the primary backup to Jameis Winston. The Giants are hoping to avoid a repeat of last week's chaos, when Dart went down and the offense struggled to find its rhythm.
Haener, a fourth-round pick by the New Orleans Saints out of Fresno State in 2023, brings a modest but real NFL résumé to the table. In eight career appearances, including one start in 2024, he has completed 18-of-39 passes for 226 yards, with a touchdown and an interception. While those numbers don't jump off the page, the Monte Vista product has shown enough poise to earn the trust of the coaching staff in a pinch.
The timing of this move is critical. The Giants are preparing to face a Titans defense that, despite its own struggles, can be disruptive when it gets pressure on the quarterback. With Winston now the unquestioned starter, the team is adjusting its game plan to play to his strengths—something head coach John Harbaugh addressed during his press conference.
“All those plays are plays that we have, that we’ve been practicing and running, it’s just kind of more like a shift maybe over a little bit as opposed to … maybe a lane change as opposed to changing direction or anything like that,” Harbaugh explained. “More of a lane change.”
That “lane change” could mean more deep shots and a more aggressive downfield approach, which plays to Winston's big-arm ability. The Giants' offense had started to click with Dart under center, but now they'll rely on the veteran's experience to keep the chains moving against Tennessee.
This isn't the first time the Giants have had to scramble at the quarterback position this season. Earlier, there was a wide-open search for a QB after Dart's injury, and fans have been vocal about their concerns. Some have even floated the idea of trading for J.J. McCarthy, though the front office has remained focused on internal solutions.
Adding Haener provides a safety net, but the real test comes on Sunday. With a Nor'easter threatening to turn the game into a muddy mess, conditions could play a factor in how both offenses operate. The Giants will need to be sharp in the elements, and Haener's presence ensures they have a capable arm ready if Winston needs a breather.
As kickoff approaches at 1 PM ET, all eyes will be on how Harbaugh and his staff adjust. The Giants are hoping this “lane change” keeps them on the road to a much-needed win.
