Jeff Saturday warns Jaxson Dart after punishing hits, questions Giants rookie's playing style

Former Colts center Jeff Saturday didn't mince words about Jaxson Dart's style of play in the Giants' 33-15 defeat against the Patriots on Monday. Dart, who did not play in Weeks 11 and 12, was approved from concussion protocol. However, he took a big hit early from New England linebacker Christian Elliss while scrambling to claim extra yards.

Saturday requested Dart to protect himself for the betterment of franchise.

"You haven't played against a defensive lineman who runs a 46 and weighs 310 pounds and when he hits you, it's like a freight train hitting you," Saturday said on Monday (Timestamp: 09:10), via "Get Up."

"Your body can only take so much. And at the end of the day, for a franchise quarterback, which is what you are, they are building their entire franchise around you. You have to protect yourself."

Dart's decision raised questions about his attacking style of play and durability. However, the rookie stood firm on his approach.

"This is football," Dart said during the postgame presser. "I'm going to get hit if I'm in the pocket or outside the pocket. I feel like I played this way my entire life. It shouldn't be any shocker to anybody if you followed along with my career.

"We're not playing soccer out here. You're going to get hit. Things happen. It's just part of the game."

Dart completed 17 of 24 passes for 139 yards and one touchdown, with no interceptions. He added 20 rushing yards on four carries.

Patriots' Christian Ellis sends message to Jaxson Dart after crushing MNF hit

Patriots Linebacker Christian Ellis dropped one of the defining moments of Monday's win, handling Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart along the sideline. The hit was legal, and Elliss made sure his message was direct.

“Make sure to slide,” Elliss said after the game, via MassLive's Matt Vautour.

"When I saw him tiptoeing, I thought, 'If you’re going to stay in bounds, what am I supposed to do?' We play hard on defense. We try to bring life to this team. That’s what I was trying to do. I was trying to do my job and hit anything in the white (uniforms)."

New England defenders called the hit a "tone-setter" as the team built a dominant early lead.