EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is expected to return to action on Saturday in their preseason game against the Houston Texans.

Jones suffered a torn ACL last November and it has now been more than eight months since his surgery. He did not play in Thursday’s season opener against the Detroit Lions, but has been a full participant in practice since being cleared before training camp began.

Jones expressed his desire to play in a game last week, saying he would “love to play” but also acknowledged that “ultimately the decision is up to coach and I’m going to do what (coach Brian Daboll) thinks is right.”

Jones has had some ups and downs this summer that had nothing to do with his health. He played in every first-team snap and didn’t seem physically limited by his knee. The Giants even had Jones perform quarterback draws throughout training camp.

However, playing in a game will pose a completely different challenge for Jones’ knee.

“I mean, I always think it’s valuable to get game practice and feel that. My knee feels good and I feel ready,” Jones said recently. “I tested it and did everything I needed to do to make sure it was ready. So I feel good about my knee.”

This is a crucial year for the Giants and Jones, who is entering the second year of a four-year, $160 million contract that gives the team a reasonable exit after this season. New York has already flirted with the idea of ​​replacing Jones in the offseason.

Drew Lock, who signed a $5 million guaranteed contract to replace Jones in the offseason, was injured in the season opener this week and is dealing with a strained hip and a pulled abdominal muscle, multiple sources told ESPN.

Lock is expected to miss the game against the Texans, leaving the Giants with only a healthy Jones and Tommy DeVito at quarterback.

While the Giants are thin at quarterback, they are getting reinforcements on their offensive line. Offensive tackle Evan Neal was activated from the physically unable to perform list on Sunday.

Neal, the seventh pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, underwent ankle surgery earlier this year. The Giants expected him to be back for the start of training camp, but he spent the first three weeks on the PUP list.

New York is also expected to get its starting center John Michael Schmitz (shoulder) back before the start of the regular season.