EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is “excited” to play in a game for the first time since tearing his ACL last November, but doesn’t view it as a physical challenge.

Jones tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee on November 5th in a game against the Las Vegas Raiders. More than nine months after his injury, he will be back on the field on Saturday in an away preseason game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.

“I don’t think I’ll be thinking about my knee much,” he said. “I’ve been testing it in training, in my rehab and in training and I feel like it’s in good shape. I’m confident my knee will be ready to go again. It won’t be something I’ll be thinking about much.”

This time, however, the opponent is allowed to hit Jones. Quarterbacks wear a red jersey during training that prohibits contact. This is not the case in the preseason.

Jones sees the first hit he’ll take no differently than any other year. It’s just that this time it’ll have been a little longer since he’s played. He’ll see how he fares in more realistic playing experience.

“I think it’s a little bit faster is one thing. The pass rush is real. They can hit you in the game,” Jones said with a chuckle. “Just feeling that, feeling that (is different). But I think it’s all about getting the ball off the ground in a timely manner and moving well in the pocket. All the things you work on in a practice situation are tested in a game when you can get hit.”

If he avoids that first blow altogether, it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.

“I wouldn’t mind,” Jones said. “I certainly don’t want to get hit.”

As for Jones’ playing time on Saturday afternoon against the Texans, he is willing to last as long as the team asks.

Jones and the Giants’ starters played a nine-play, 75-yard drive in the second preseason game last year that resulted in a touchdown.

“I’m ready to go,” Jones said. “I’m ready to play as much as (Coach Brian Daboll) wants me to play.”

The Giants are excited to see their first-team offense in action for the first time this year. The entire first-team offense, with the exception of first- and second-year players, was not used in the season opener against the Detroit Lions last Thursday night.

Jones is expected to play behind the starting offensive line and with the team’s best receivers against the Texans.

“It will be good to have him on the field in a warm-up game,” said Daboll. “To lead the offense.”

Daboll will also have his first opportunity to call plays for Jones and this group. He wasn’t a regular playmaker in his first two seasons with the team.

The group expected to take the field in Houston includes rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, who returned to practice Thursday and will likely play against the Texans. Nabers missed two practices earlier this week after suffering a sprained ankle on Sunday.

On Thursday, he returned to training without any visible bandage on his left ankle.