HOUSTON – Daniel Jones was thrilled to be back on the field Saturday for the New York Giants even if the results weren’t optimal.

Jones threw two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown in his first action since a season-ending knee injury last year and the Houston Texans beat the Giants 28-10 in a preseason game.

“I feel good, physically,” he said. “The knee felt really good. I was excited to be out there.”

Jones tore the ACL in his right knee on Nov. 5 and had recovered for the start of training camp but was held out of New York’s preseason opener last week against Detroit. He played until halftime Saturday and was 11 of 18 for 138 yards.

His two interceptions were part of five turnovers the Giants committed Saturday.

“You don’t give yourself much of a chance when you turn the ball over,” coach Brian Daboll said. “It’s obviously something we need to improve on so that’s what we’ll try to do.”

Houston’s C.J. Stroud threw for 88 yards in one quarter after playing two series in his preseason debut last week. The Texans didn’t score on his first drive and he was lifted for Case Keenum in the middle of the next one at the start of the second quarter.

Jones was under heavy pressure in the end zone on his second drive when he threw a desperation pass which was picked off by Jalen Pitre and returned 5 yards for a touchdown to make it 7-0.

Pitre, who is entering his third season, loves how the secondary has come together since the start of camp.

“We’ve been growing in a lot of different ways on and off the field,” he said. “So I think it’s going to do nothing but help us as we continue to move forward.”

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Remembering Jacoby Jones

The Texans honored Jacoby Jones, who died of heart disease last month at 40, before the game. Jones was drafted by the team in 2007 and spent his first five seasons in Houston.

His family was on the field during introductions and his son Jacoby Jones Jr. fired the cannon before the team ran out.

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Up Next

Giants: End the preseason against the New York Jets next Saturday night.

Texans: Have a joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams Thursday before wrapping up the preseason by hosting them next Saturday.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl