Giants QB Tyrod Taylor takes cart to locker room after taking massive hit in final preseason game

The New York Giants may have avoided a serious injury Sunday. Backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor rode a cart to the locker room following a massive hit from Michael Clemons in the team's final preseason game against the New York Jets.

The hit occurred with roughly 2:30 left in the first quarter. Taylor dropped back to pass, but immediately noticed pressure from the right side. He avoided the first rusher and rolled out to the far side of the field. As Taylor threw the ball, he was hit hard by Clemons.

Taylor stayed on the ground before getting up and walking off the field. He was taken to the blue medical tent to be evaluated. After spending some time in the tent, Taylor rode a cart to the team's locker room. He was ruled questionable to return due to a back injury.

Taylor did not return to the contest, likely because it was a preseason game. Giants coach Brian Daboll said after the game that Taylor will be OK.

Taylor got the start in the team's final preseason game after Daniel Jones was held out with many of the other starters. Jones came into the preseason with questions about his ability, but performed well enough in the team's first two games to earn the starting job.

With many of the starters out, Taylor was under constant pressure. He did show excellent mobility on one play, spinning past a rusher and scrambling to pick up a first down.

Taylor went 2-for-4 with 29 yards before leaving the contest. He also added 13 rushing yards and threw 1 interception.

Tyrod Taylor sustains another unfortunate injury

Despite how bad things looked, Taylor appears to be OK.

That's an excellent development for Taylor, who has experienced devastating last-minute injuries in the past. Taylor sustained a collapsed lung in 2020 after Los Angeles Chargers doctors accidentally punctured his lung with an injection prior to the team's game in Week 2. Taylor led the team to a victory in Week 1 and was forced to miss multiple weeks following the injury.

Then-rookie Justin Herbert took over for Taylor and never gave the job back. Taylor spent the rest of the season backing up Herbert. The Houston Texans signed Taylor in 2021. He started the team's first two games before sustaining an injury. That opened the door for then-rookie Davis Mills. Taylor eventually came back and started, but was eventually replaced by Mills down the stretch.

Taylor signed with the Giants in the offseason. Some believed Taylor had a chance to win the starting job if he performed well in camp and the preseason. Jones' strong preseason numbers put an end to that speculation, though Taylor could still get starts if Jones falters in the regular season.