The first full week of the NFL preseason opened on Thursday night with the Detroit Lions putting their first two picks in the 2024 NFL Draft in the starting lineup at cornerback.
With most of Detroit's projected starters sitting out against the New York Giants, the Lions had first-round pick Terrion Arnold from Alabama and second-round pick Ennis Rakestraw from Missouri in the secondary.
Arnold played the first two series and was not targeted by Giants quarterback Drew Lock. Rakestraw played longer because he took some snaps at slot corner, too.
The Giants posted a 14-3 victory at rainy MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Running back Eric Gray scored on second-quarter touchdown runs of 48 yards and 1 yard.
In Thursday night's other preseason game, the New England Patriots defeated the Carolina Panthers 17-3. The crowd at rainy Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, got to see No. 3 pick Drake Maye at quarterback for one series. Sixth-round pick Joe Milton III played more and tossed a 38-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.
Eleven players from Alabama high schools and colleges got on the field on Thursday night, including four who made their pro debuts:
· Patriots wide receiver Javon Baker (Alabama) had two receptions for 11 yards in his pro debut.
· Patriots wide receiver Kawaan Baker (South Alabama) did not record any stats.
· Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore (Alabama) did not play. Barmore has not practiced since New England announced on July 28 that he had been hospitalized with blood clots.
· Panthers defensive end Derrick Brown (Auburn) did not play.
· Panthers linebacker Tae Davis (Oxford) made two tackles on defense and one tackle on special teams.
· Anfernee Jennings (Dadeville, Alabama) started at linebacker for the Patriots. Jennings recorded one tackle.
· Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones (Auburn) did not play.
· Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones (Enterprise, Troy) did not play.
· Panthers outside linebacker Eku Leota (Auburn) recorded two tackles for loss, registered one quarterback hit and made one tackle on special teams.
· Panthers tight end Jordan Matthews (Madison Academy) had three receptions for 48 yards.
· Patriots safety Dell Pettus (Sparkman, Troy) made four tackles on defense and one on special teams in his pro debut.
· Panthers defensive end LaBryan Ray (James Clemens, Alabama) did not play.
· Panthers defensive end A'Shawn Robinson (Alabama) did not play.
· Patriots cornerback Mikey Victor (Alabama State) broke up one pass in his pro debut.
· Panthers linebacker Chandler Wooten (Auburn) recorded two tackles.
· Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (Alabama) did not play.
New York Giants 14, Detroit Lions 3
· Terrion Arnold (Alabama) started at cornerback for the Lions in his first pro game. Arnold did not record any stats.
· Lions defensive back Brian Branch (Alabama) did not play.
· Lions cornerback Carlton Davis (Auburn) did not play.
· Giants cornerback Cor'Dale Flott (Saraland) did not play.
· Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (Alabama) did not play.
· Lions defensive tackle Brodric Martin (Northridge, North Alabama) tied for the team lead with four tackles and knocked down two passes.
· Giants offensive tackle Evan Neal (Alabama) is on active/physically unable to perform, so he is not eligible to play. Neal had ankle surgery during the offseason.
· Giants defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches (Central-Phenix City) did not play.
· Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (Auburn) did not play.
· Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (Alabama) did not play.
FOR MORE OF AL.COM'S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE