Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (24) intercepts a pass intended for New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (13) thrown by quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
By KRISTIE RIEKEN, AP Sports Writer
HOUSTON (AP) — Daniel Jones was excited to be back on the field for the New York Giants on Saturday, even if the results weren’t optimal.
Jones threw two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown, in his first appearance since a season-ending knee injury last year, and the Houston Texans beat the Giants 28-10 in a preseason game.
“Physically, I’m fine,” he said. “The knee felt really good. I was excited to be out there.”
Jones tore an ACL in his right knee on Nov. 5 and had recovered by the start of training camp, but did not play in New York’s season opener against Detroit last week. He played until halftime on Saturday and completed 11 of 18 passes for 138 yards.
His two interceptions were part of five turnovers the Giants committed on Saturday.
“If you lose the ball, you don’t have much of a chance,” coach Brian Daboll said. “That’s obviously something we need to improve on, and we’re going to try to do that.”
Houston’s CJ Stroud threw two series in one quarter for 88 yards last week in his preseason debut. The Texans didn’t score on his first drive, and he was substituted for Case Keenum in the middle of the next drive early in the second quarter.
Jones was under a lot of pressure on his second drive in the end zone when he threw a desperation pass that was intercepted by Jalen Pitre and returned 5 yards for a touchdown to make it 7-0.
Pitre, who is entering his third season, is excited about how the secondary has come together since the start of camp.
“We’ve evolved in many ways on and off the field,” he said. “I think that will only help us as we move forward.”
The Giants were on the rise on the next possession when Jones attempted a long throw to Jalin Hyatt, but Derek Stingley dove in his path near the end zone and intercepted another ball.
“A little shaky at the beginning,” Jones said. “The first quarter obviously didn’t go the way we wanted it to. Bad decision, bad shot. I’d like to see that again, but I think overall we got some things going in the second quarter and executed and moved the ball. I’m happy with how we responded.”
Jones, who signed a four-year, $160 million contract extension after the 2022 season, moved the ball more effectively after that with most of Houston’s starters on the bench, leading a 63-yard run capped by a 1-yard touchdown run by Devin Singletary to tie the game early in the second quarter.
John Metchie was the Texans’ best player with six catches for 68 yards. Metchie, who is entering his second season after sitting out his rookie year because of cancer treatment, caught a 3-yard touchdown from Case Keenum in the second inning to make it 14-7.
“It’s exciting to watch Metchie make those plays,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Nobody is more motivated than his teammates. You see the other receivers and their genuine excitement for him when he makes those plays. The whole team is rooting for him to do well.”
New York’s Malik Nabers, the sixth overall pick in this year’s draft, leapt up to catch a pass for a 21-yard gain just before halftime. Nabers, who sat out last week with an ankle injury, caught four balls for 54 yards.
“He made some really nice catches out there,” Jones said. “We saw that in practice, but to see it in a game was nice.”
This drive ended with a field goal, which reduced the lead to 14:10 at halftime.
Houston’s British Brooks, a non-drafted rookie, scored touchdowns of 6 and 15 yards in the fourth quarter to extend the lead to 28-10.
Injuries
Giants: Linebacker Micah McFadden was carted off the field in the first quarter with a hip injury. … OL Ryder Anderson injured his thigh in the first quarter. … LB Matthew Adams was carted off the field in the third quarter with a groin injury.
Roof damage
The roof of NRG Stadium still needs repairs after it was damaged by Hurricane Beryl last month. Several panels of the retractable roof were damaged in the Category 1 storm. The roof was closed Saturday, but two pieces of it near an end zone were missing, allowing sun to shine on the field.
The team has stated that it is difficult to obtain materials to repair the roof and that repairs may not be completed until about a month after the start of the regular season.
In memory of Jacoby Jones
The Texans honored Jacoby Jones before the game, who died last month of heart disease at the age of 40. Jones was drafted by the team in 2007 and spent his first five seasons in Houston.
His family was on the field during the introduction and his son Jacoby Jones Jr. fired the cannon before the team ran out.
“I’m glad the organization was able to honor him in this way and show this respect and honor to his family,” Ryans said.
Next
Giants: Finish the preseason next Saturday night against the New York Jets.
Texans: Have a joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday before hosting them next Saturday to conclude the preseason.
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