EAST RUTHERFORD – Looking ahead to the 2024 season, the Giants had major doubts about quarterback Daniel Jones and his surgically operated knee, their newly formed offensive line and whether first-round draft pick Malik Nabers would live up to expectations as a big-play receiver.
When coach Brian Daboll lined up his first offensive and defensive units in the second week of the preseason, he had to settle for two answers in Saturday’s 28-10 loss to the Texans.
The line was outstanding, as was Nabers, who made a spectacular 21-yard catch down the sideline toward the end of the first half.
Jones played in his first game since tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against the Raiders in Las Vegas in early November. He threw two interceptions, including a pick-6, and finished the game completing 11 of 18 passes for 138 yards.
The six-year veteran will need to play better for the Giants to rebound from a disappointing 6-11 season, especially with New York barely backed by veteran Drew Lock and second-year pro Tommy DeVito.
The new offensive line, assembled after last year’s unit allowed a franchise-record 85 sacks, was solid. The first unit of Andrew Thomas, Aaron Stinnie, John-Michael Schmitz, Greg Van Roten and Jermaine Eluemunor did not allow a sack and mostly kept Jones clean in the pocket.
However, this allowed pressure on a second-and-8 play from the New York 8-yard line. After nearly being sacked, Jones threw a floater that Texans safety Jalen Pitre intercepted and returned 5 yards for a touchdown.
Jones, who had a career year in 2022 and led New York to the playoffs for the first time since 2016, said he should have either bounced the ball near the receiver or thrown it out of bounds.
“I mean, things like that will happen. We’ll work on it,” Daboll said in his analysis of the game on Sunday. “We’ll learn from it and grow from it. We’ll be better next time.”
Jones was also intercepted by Houston cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. on a long sideline pass to Jalin Hyatt. He didn’t make the same mistake in the second quarter, throwing to Darius Slayton for 44 yards to set up a short touchdown run by Devin Singletary.
“They continue to improve,” Daboll said of the line. “I would say we’ve added good players in terms of the veterans. Communication, it’s been good to have John Michael back out there so he could work with some of the guys. Veterans that are committed, that are smart, that are tough, that have played the game, that are all on the same page.”
The line also has depth. Jon Runyan Jr., who left the Packers to join the Giants, did not play because of a minor shoulder injury. Evan Neal, who played right tackle the past two years after being selected as the No. 7 overall pick in 2022, just returned from a long rehabilitation following ankle surgery. New York also has veterans Josh Ezeudu and Austin Schlottmann as backups.
Nabers was the star of training camp after being selected No. 6 in the draft. He was targeted six times on Saturday and had four catches for 54 yards.
“It’s a great feeling,” Jones said after the game about working with LSU product Nabers. “I think it’s giving him a chance and letting him take advantage. Yeah, like I said, we’ve been making good plays all training camp and it’s nice to see that on the field.”
Daboll did not provide an update Sunday on inside linebacker Micah McFadden, who was carted off the field in the first half with a hip injury.
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