Jones Struggles in Preseason Opener Against Texans

In his return to the field after a significant injury, Giants quarterback Daniel Jones faced challenges during the preseason opener against the Houston Texans. Jones, who sat out the previous game, nearly threw an interception on his first pass attempt, highlighting the rust he needed to shake off. Despite a promising third drive that featured a notable 14-yard catch by rookie Malik Nabers and a 12-yard scramble by Jones, the quarterback's deep throw to Jalin Hyatt raised concerns reminiscent of his past struggles. Head Coach Brian Daboll emphasized the importance of testing the offensive line and allowing Jones to experience live rush situations. The game plan included play-action passes and deep throws, aimed at pushing the ball downfield. However, Nabers expressed disappointment over a missed third-down opportunity, although he later redeemed himself with a spectacular 21-yard catch during a two-minute drill at the end of the half. Defensively, the Giants faced challenges as well, with the Texans exploiting mismatches. Notably, wide receiver John Metchie scored a touchdown against cornerback Simmons. The Giants' defensive line was further tested when starting tackle Ryder Anderson exited with a hamstring injury. Additionally, Daboll confirmed that wide receiver Gunner Olszewski would be sidelined for an extended period due to a groin injury, while running back Dante Miller did not participate due to a hamstring issue.