The New York Giants fell to the San Francisco 49ers for their third straight loss on Sunday, but it really was no major of quarterback Jaxson Dart, who actually played a very solid game.

This in spite of missing his top two weapons in wide receiver Malik Nabers and running back Cam Skattebo, not to mention tight end Daniel Bellinger.

However, for as impressive as Dart has looked for most of the season, there is still one glaring concern that we simply cannot ignore: his injury risk.

Dart has no qualms about taking on defenders. He is fearless, sometimes to his detriment. I love his moxie, and his competitive fire is palpable. But one of these days, it's going to get him hurt.

The rookie signal-caller keeps taking far too many unnecessary hits due to his refusal to slide. He throws his shoulder into defenders when he doesn't really need to, and his insistence on trying to get an extra yard — even when a first down isn't on the line — is more reckless than courageous.

I get it. Dart is an athletic quarterback, and a significant part of his value lies in his ability to make plays with his legs. We saw that in Week 9 when he carried the ball 10 times for 54 yards and a touchdown. He has scored a rushing touchdown in all but one of his starts this season.

And you know what? That's great. The modern game calls for it. But what the Giants do not need is for Dart to get a concussion or to keep taking cumulative hits that could potentially shorten his career.

Unfortunately, Dart does not have a ton of weapons at his disposal right now. But with New York being just 2-7, someone needs to pull him aside and put his future into perspective.

It might not be head coach Brian Daboll, who probably won't be coaching Dart next year anyway. But perhaps veteran quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston can guide him. Or maybe even Skattebo or one of Dart's other teammates can say, "Look; we need you. Be careful."

The Giants' future rests heavily on the shoulders of Dart, who, even in the midst of another non-playoff season in the Big Apple, has injected hope into a franchise that has been mostly lifeless for the better part of the last 13 years.

Dart needs to emphasize brains over brawn. While it might be fun watching the 6-foot-5, 240-pound Josh Allen plow through defenders, Dart does not have as bulky of a frame, and he also does not have the overall track record of Allen in general.

Hopefully, Dart is able to put his pride to the side and understand that he is far too important to this franchise to continue taking such nonessential risks.