The New York Giants concluded their preseason with a 10-6 loss to the New York Jets on Saturday night at MetLife Stadium. In a game where most of the players on the field were fighting for roster spots, the Giants struggled to find any offensive rhythm, with their only points coming from backup kicker Jude McAtamney, who nailed field goals of 43 and 23 yards.
Offensive Struggles and a Mixed Night for DeVito
Tommy DeVito, who played the entire game at quarterback, completed 14 of 27 passes for 103 yards while being sacked eight times. Despite the pressure, DeVito led the team with 48 rushing yards on five carries, showing his mobility under duress. “Obviously, I wish we finished out the two-minute drive with the W. Could have had a chance to win the game there,” DeVito said postgame. “There were a lot of good things, a lot of growing that could be made from this.”
DeVito’s performance, while gritty, highlighted the difficulties faced by an offense composed largely of players on the fringe of the roster. Rookie running back Dante Miller rushed for 45 yards on 14 attempts, while four Giants tied for the team lead with two receptions apiece—Jack Stoll, Miles Boykin, Isaiah McKenzie, and Joshua Kelley. The offensive line, featuring second-year center John Michael Schmitz and tackle Evan Neal, struggled to protect DeVito, who spent much of the game under siege.
Injury Concerns for Key Starters
One of the few starters to see action was center John Michael Schmitz, who had missed significant training camp time due to a shoulder injury. Schmitz’s return was short-lived as he injured his ankle on the Giants’ first possession when a Jets player rolled on it. “Ankle’s fine,” Schmitz assured reporters, expressing confidence in his availability for the season opener on September 8 against the Minnesota Vikings.
Evan Neal, another key starter, also returned to action after being sidelined since November due to an ankle injury and offseason surgery. Neal was on the field for 21 snaps before exiting, consistent with the coaching staff’s plan. Like Schmitz, Neal downplayed the severity of his injury. “I got up, I was fine,” Neal said. “I feel okay. I don’t think there’s anything going on.”
Head coach Brian Daboll emphasized the importance of getting these linemen back on the field before the regular season. “He’s a lineman and he needs it. He needs it,” Daboll said of Schmitz. “Offensive linemen need to lean on people, need to pass block, need to run block, they need to be in the trenches.”
Defensive Standouts and a Lack of Big Plays
On the defensive side, linebacker K.J. Cloyd was a standout, recording 16 tackles, including eight solo. Benton Whitley added 1.5 sacks, providing a rare highlight for a defense that mostly kept the Jets in check but failed to make game-changing plays. The lone turnover in the game came on the opening kickoff when Giants returner Ayir Asante fumbled, leading to a Jets field goal.
Daboll was measured in his assessment of the game, acknowledging the challenges posed by injuries and the evaluation process ahead of final roster cuts. “There’s a lot of discussions we need to have tonight and over the next couple of days,” Daboll said. “But certainly when guys play well, you go ahead and re-evaluate and make sure you’re doing the right thing.”
The Road Ahead
The Giants face tough decisions as they trim their roster from 90 players to 53 by Tuesday afternoon. DeVito’s future with the team remains uncertain, particularly with questions surrounding the health of backup quarterback Drew Lock. “I have confidence in Tommy, but I’m not going to get into roster decisions right now,” Daboll said, keeping his cards close to his chest.
Injuries also loom large as the Giants prepare for the regular season. Daboll was noncommittal when asked about the status of his injured players, including Schmitz and Neal. “We’ll find out more later in the day tomorrow,” Daboll said, noting that the team will wait for MRI results before making any definitive statements.
Despite the lackluster performance against the Jets, there were some positives to take away, particularly for players like DeVito, who gained valuable experience. However, the overall takeaway was one of frustration and concern, as the Giants’ depth was tested, and key players exited the game with injuries. As the preseason comes to a close, the Giants must quickly regroup, finalize their roster, and focus on the season opener against the Vikings. The hope is that the injuries sustained in this game will not linger into the regular season, allowing the team to start at full strength.
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