New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones had a disastrous begin in his return from a torn ACL when he threw a pair of first-quarter interceptions on Saturday in a 28-10 loss to the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium, together with one which was returned for a landing.
In his first quarter of recreation motion since tearing the ACL in his proper knee again in November, Jones threw two interceptions on his first three drives. He additionally virtually threw an interception on his first move of the competition.
“Clearly first quarter did not go how we wished it,” Jones informed reporters. “Unhealthy choice and a foul throw [on the interception for a touchdown].”
Jones completed the competition 11-of-18 passing for 138 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. He led a pair of scoring drives within the second half.
However it was on the Giants’ second drive of the competition when Jones made an ill-advised throw that proved pricey. He was pressured by Houston’s Derek Barnett on a dropback in the long run zone and at risk of being tackled for a security. With Barnett hanging close to his ft, Jones irresponsibly floated a throw to tight finish Theo Johnson within the left flat.
The ball hit Texans security Jalen Pitre within the chest on the Giants’ 6-yard line. Pitre corralled the move for the simple interception and waltzed into the tip zone for the rating.
Jones conceded after the sport he ought to have thrown it at his receiver’s ft. That was a foul mistake, one which veteran quarterbacks should not make.
“Made a poor choice backed up,” coach Brian Daboll mentioned.
On the Giants’ following drive, Jones tried to hit well-covered broad receiver Jalin Hyatt down the best sideline. Houston standout cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. was operating stride for stride and made a pleasant diving interception.
That did not hassle Daboll fairly as a lot. He thought that throw was the right choice, besides that his quarterback put the ball a bit too far inside. It allowed Stingley to make the interception.
The Giants and Jones appeared keen to chalk that as much as being participant making participant.
Jones did bounce again earlier than his afternoon ended at halftime, though by that point the Texans primarily had their backups within the recreation on protection. He related deep down the left sideline with broad receiver Darius Slayton for a 44-yard achieve that put the ball on the 1-yard line on the very subsequent drive within the second quarter. Devin Singletary ran it in for a landing two performs later.
The Giants later added a discipline objective throughout a two-minute drive simply earlier than halftime.
“It felt good to execute and transfer the ball there within the two-minute drive,” Jones mentioned. “Guys made some big-time performs on the market.”
Amongst them rookie broad receiver Malik Nabers. He had 4 catches for 54 yards within the contest, together with a powerful leaping seize close to the sideline late within the second quarter to arrange the sector objective.
No person was keen to chalk up Jones’ sluggish begin to rust. However Jones hadn’t been in a recreation state of affairs since tearing his knee Nov. 5 towards the Las Vegas Raiders. This was the primary stay setting, nine-plus months later, the place the defenders had been allowed to hit the quarterback.
Maybe most significantly, Jones moved properly and had one run for 12 yards. He did not take any massive hits and wasn’t sacked. He made it out unscathed.
“I really feel good bodily. Knee felt actually good,” Jones mentioned. “Excited to be on the market. Grateful for all of the individuals who helped me get so far. All of the docs and trainers and workers which have helped. It was enjoyable to be on the market.”