New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) looks on before the game against the Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium.

Could Jaxson Dart return this week? It's possible.

New York Giants interim head coach Mike Kafka told reporters on Nov. 19 that the rookie quarterback was a limited, non-contact participant in practice that day. That is a significant step for Dart toward leaving concussion protocol and making it back for the Nov. 23 clash with the Detroit Lions.

According to the NFL's concussion protocol, non-contact participation in practice is the penultimate step of a five-part protocol. If Dart makes it through a practice of full football activity later in the week, he will be cleared to play in Week 12.

If Dart suffers any setbacks during the Giants' remaining practice sessions, backup Jameis Winston could be in line for a second straight start. Otherwise, the rookie gunslinger will return to the field after missing just one game.

Here's the latest news on Dart's head injury:

When will Jaxson Dart return?

Dart could return for the Giants' Week 12 game against the Lions.

Kafka, New York's interim head coach, said that Dart made it back to practice on Nov. 19 in a limited, non-contact capacity. That's the second-to-last step of the NFL's five-step concussion protocol. The final step will be getting Dart involved as a full participant in practice.

The rookie initially entered the NFL's concussion protocol during New York's Week 10 game against the Chicago Bears. Dart took a hard tackle on a rush attempt near the end of the third quarter and eventually left the game with the ailment.

He entered the league's protocol during the game and after his fourth concussion check since the final week of the preseason.

The rookie missed the Giants' Week 11 loss to the Green Bay Packers while still working through the protocol. Winston, a veteran free agent signee from the offseason, made his first start for New York in Dart's place.

What is the NFL's concussion protocol?

The NFL breaks its concussion protocol down into five steps. The process is designed to break up the recovery process from a head injury ensure a player's safety.

A player in the protocol must clear all five steps before they're cleared to play.

Here are the five steps, according to the NFL:

  1. Symptom-limited activity
  2. Aerobic exercise
  3. Football-specific exercise
  4. Club-based non-contact training drills
  5. Full football activity/clearance

Dart was on the fourth step of the concussion protocol when he returned to practice as a non-contact participant on Nov. 19. He will still need to be a full participant in a Giants practice session this week before he's cleared to return to action in Week 12.

Giants QB depth chart

  • Jaxson Dart (questionable – concussion)
  • Jameis Winston
  • Russell Wilson

Dart took over as the Giants' starter in Week 4 after New York got out to an 0-3 record under veteran free agent signee Russell Wilson.

Wilson struggled not only in his three starts with the Giants but in almost all of his six total appearances this year. His Week 10 line in relief of Dart was 3-of-7 passing for 45 yards, and he lost 13 yards on two sacks. After that game, Kafka announced Winston would replace Wilson as Dart's backup; Winston started New York's Week 11 game against the Packers.

Winston was also a free-agent signing by the Giants in the offseason. New York inked him to a two-year deal before bringing in Wilson on a one-year contract. The former No. 1 overall pick went 19-of-29 passing for 201 yards and an interception, rushing for 10 yards and a touchdown in his Week 11 start.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How long is Jaxson Dart out? Latest injury updates on Giants QB

Reporting by Jack McKessy, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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