Texans Beat Giants 28-10: Jones Returns, First-Team Defense Shines

On Saturday, the New York Giants visited the Houston Texans and lost, 28-10.

However, the score holds little meaning compared to the significant first-team action the Giants gave their fans. In the closest thing to the regular season fans have seen this summer, the dress rehearsal played host to several intriguing storylines.

Chief among them was the return of quarterback Daniel Jones.

Jones , playing in game action for the first time since tearing his ACL in Week 9 of last season, had an up-and-down 2024 debut. It started just about as poor as the 2023 campaign went.

On his first pass, he nearly threw an interception. It would foreshadow the rest of his first quarterback.

Jones was intercepted on an ill-advised flat route from his own end zone on the ensuing drive. After getting in rhythm on the next drive, Jones remained aggressive, but was intercepted again, targeting receiver Jalin Hyatt downfield.

From there, the rest of his game was uneventful. He finished the day completing 11 of 18 passes for 138 yards and the two turnovers before being replaced by Tommy DeVito in the second half. DeVito was his typical self, operating the quick game well.

The first-team defense also played well, shutting down an elite Texans offense. Quarterback C.J. Stroud was throwing to his special trio of receivers in Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs, and Tank Dell. They did not score a touchdown with their full cast of starters, being turned away in the red zone after defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and edge rusher Brian Burns made their presence felt on fourth down.

New York's depth was put behind the eight-ball by a pair of fumbles from receiver John Jiles and running back Lorenzo Lingard -- neither of whom are expected to make the team. DeVito would add to the turnover count with a fumble of his own with 2:22 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Related: WATCH: Jones Connects With Slayton, Singletary Ties Game

Unfortunately, New York did not leave Houston fully healthy. Starting linebacker Micah McFadden was eventually ruled out with a hip injury he suffered in the first half. Defensive lineman Ryder Anderson (hamstring) and linebacker Matthew Adams (groin) joined him.

Defensive tackle D.J. Davidson was poked in the eye during the fourth quarter. Offensive tackle Yodny Cajuste also limped off the field late in the fourth quarter.

The Giants will finish their preseason in MetLife Stadium against the New York Jets on Aug. 24.