New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones said his “knee felt really good” during Saturday’s preseason loss to the Houston Texans, his first game since tearing his ACL in November.

“Physically, I’m feeling good. The knee feels really good,” Jones said, according to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan. “I’m excited to be here. I’m thankful for everyone who helped me get to this point. All the doctors, trainers and staff that helped me. It was fun to be here.”

Jones threw two interceptions, including a pick-six, in the first quarter of the 28-10 loss. He completed 11 of 18 passes for 138 yards while adding 12 yards on a run.

Jones played his first game since tearing his right anterior cruciate ligament while attempting a pass in a game against the Las Vegas Raiders on November 5.

The Giants quarterback underwent surgery on November 22. According to Raanan, the recovery took between eight and ten months.

If Jones had needed a 10-month recovery period, he likely would have missed not only training camp and the entire preseason, but also the first two games of the regular season.

Fortunately for the Giants’ plans to rely on the quarterback they signed last year to a four-year, $160 million contract, Jones told reporters Thursday he was “confident” his knee would hold up against the Texans.

“I don’t think I’m going to think about my knee a lot,” Jones said, via Charlotte Carroll of The Athletic. “I think I’ve tested it in training, in my rehab and in training, and I feel like it’s in good shape. So I’m confident my knee will be ready to go. I’m not going to think about that.”

While having the quarterback available in the preseason is the best-case scenario for the Giants’ current roster, the two interceptions – which Jones described as the result of “poor decision-making and a bad throw” – were a worrying start for a team that has indicated the 2024 season will be crucial for Jones.

The positive side of things is that Jones was barely hit, had no sacks and did not appear to have any knee pain, so the Giants may be able to give the quarterback another chance next Saturday in their preseason game against the New York Giants.