Deonte Banks surprisingly plays in Giants’ preseason opener as other starters sit

It made sense that coach Brian Daboll kept all his returning starters on defense off the field for Thursday night’s preseason-opening 14-3 victory against the Lions at MetLife Stadium.

All but one.

Deonte Banks started at cornerback, which was a surprise.

Banks is the only proven cornerback on the roster and the second-year player is as close to an invaluable member of the team as there is on the squad.

He has taken nearly every snap with the first team in training camp and was coming off an active two days of joint practices with the Lions.

Yet he played two series, while others at his position were held out.

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Daboll explained that all the rookies played and almost all of the second-year players also received snaps in the game.

One of the young cornerbacks the Giants are vaulting into a starting role was not in uniform, as Cor’Dale Flott sat out with a quad issue.

It was likely that Flott would have played a decent amount, as he is trying to hold onto his spot with the first team and hold off a challenge from Nick McCloud.

Despite taking part in the pregame warmup, McCloud did not play in this game.

“Nick’s had a lot of experience. He’s played a lot on special teams,’’ Daboll said. “Wanted to see some of these younger guys.’’

Veteran corner Tre Herndon came up with an interception of Nate Sudfeld late in the second quarter, but after a 35-yard return, Herndon was hit and fumbled the ball away.

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Rookie running back Dante “Turbo’’ Miller had runs of 9 and 19 yards in the second half.

Miller led the Giants with 63 yards on 12 rushing attempts. Rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. ran it five times for 26 yards.

The Giants gained 155 yards on the ground and averaged 5.7 yards per attempt, as their second-unit offensive line looked more capable than in past years.

Benton Whitely, a third-year linebacker from Holy Cross, hit Sudfeld to force an incomplete pass on fourth down from the Giants 3-yard line late in the game.

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The Giants’ defense had four sacks and stopped the Lions four times on fourth down.

When there was a call for a measurement on fourth down in the third quarter there was no chain gang running onto the field.

The NFL for the first time in this game tested the new electronic ball spotting system that will be used this preseason. The laser technology could be implemented for the 2025 season.

The league will test the system during the Giants and Jets preseason games at MetLife Stadium this summer.

The Giants unveiled their new midfield signage: Their iconic “ny’’ helmet stretching from one 42-yard line to the other.

The blue helmet with a red stripe and white “ny’’ was used at various points during the 99-year history of the team.

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