EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – After throwing two interceptions and nearly a third in the Giants' first three possessions, Daniel Jones conceded his start was "a little shaky." But when coach Brian Daboll reviewed his quarterback's entire performance in a 28-10 preseason loss to the Houston Texans, he came away with a positive assessment.

Jones played the entire first half in NRG Stadium, his first game action since last Nov. 5, when he suffered a season-ending torn right ACL in Las Vegas.

His pass on the game's initial play was almost picked off by Derek Stingley, Jr. On the Giants' second series, Jones was in the grasp of defensive end Derek Barnett when he threw an ill-advised pass to tight end Theo Johnson that was intercepted by Jalen Pitre and returned five yards for a touchdown. The Giants moved 37 yards the next time they had the ball, but Jones' first-down pass to Jalin Hyatt was grabbed at the one-yard line by Stingley.

Jones and the Giants were much more successful and efficient in the second quarter, when they gained a total of 132 yards on two drives that ended with a touchdown and a field goal respectively, the latter in a two-minute situation.

"I thought there was two plays that we'd like to have back, but I thought he played fast," Daboll said on a Zoom call on Sunday. "It's different when you're out there in practice. This was good for him to get out there and get some live reps with the rush, the ability to get hit, he had that (12-yard) scramble. But I'd say he operated well in the pocket.

"Obviously, the backup play (Pitre's touchdown), we've talked about that one, we'd all like to have that one back. The interception, it's a one-on-one throw down the sideline to Hyatt. So, you got to do a good job of saving some space and going up there and giving them opportunity. Then if the ball's up there, we got to go up there and get it. So, I thought he made a lot of good decisions as the game went on, made some nice throws and guys created some separation and a couple of drops. But first time out there after a long layoff, live ball, it was good for him."

Jones' final stat line was 11 completions on 18 attempts for 138 yards. He was not sacked, though Barnett came close to bringing him down.

Daboll was asked what gives him confidence the kinds of plays mentioned above will not be repeated.

"Things like that are going to happen," he said. "We'll work on it. We'll learn from it. We'll grow from it. We'll be better the next time."

That will be the preseason finale Saturday vs. the Jets (a Giants road game). Daboll has not said anything about player deployment in that game, including whether Jones will play.

*One job still to be claimed is the starting cornerback opposite Deonte Banks. Cor'Dale Flott held that position for most of training camp, but he has not played in either preseason game because of a quad injury. Nick McCloud started in Houston and played 20 snaps – as did four other starters – but did not record a tackle.

"We'll keep on competing it out," Daboll said. "Obviously, Flott wasn't out there. We'll see where he is this week. I thought McCloud did a nice job like he normally does when he goes out there, dependable, consistent, durable. So again, we'll let that play out."

*In what is an ongoing series, Daboll provided his latest thoughts about the offensive line's progress.

"They continue to improve," he said. "I'd say we've added good pieces in terms of the veterans that we've added. Communication, it was good to get (center) John Michael (Schmitz) back out there so he could work with some of the guys. Veterans that care, that are smart, that are tough, that have played the game, that are all on the same page. That's what it requires to be an improved, good offensive line is making sure five guys are playing as one, seeing it through the same set of eyes. I've said (offensive line coach) Carm (Carmen Bricillo) and (assistant line coach) James (Ferentz) have done a good job with that group. We're in a preseason. There's not a lot of unique blitzes, different fronts, communications that go on. But the technique and the fundamentals of keeping the pocket firm, protecting inside out, get some movement in the running game, I've been pleased with that.

"Those guys are competing. They're doing a good job. I'd say they're fulfilling the requirements that we look for in terms of being smart, staying on the same page, playing together, but then having that physical demeanor, that play style that we covet. A lot of work that needs to be done. But that first group, I'd say in particular, I've talked about that before, they're doing a good job of communicating and trying to play the way that we want to play up front."

*Schmitz, who returned to the field last week after missing eight practices with a shoulder injury, was replaced in the game prior to the other first teamers.

"We had him at 15 plays for this game and we got him to 15 and we took him out," Daboll said. "I think he could have probably played a little bit more, but that was the plan going in so we stuck with that."

*Because had not yet spoken to the team's athletic trainers, Daboll had no updates on the Giants' injured players, both those who did not play and those hurt in the game yesterday.

*Kicker Graham Gano, at 37, the Giants' oldest player, had a fleeting moment of glory vs. the Texans when he tackled Steven Sims after a 61-yard return on the second-half kickoff. The ball was moved all the way back to the Houston 10-yard line because of Max Tooley's illegal block penalty.

"But I got a lot of love from the defensive guys on the sideline," Gano said. "They said it was good form, wrapped him up, got him down. So, I felt pretty good about that."

Gano realized not everyone shared that feeling.

"I don't think the coaches are too happy with me getting in there on it but, but sometimes you just gotta show them you can do it," Gano said. "It keeps you young. I think it builds a camaraderie, too, with the guys. They say, 'Okay, Graham's getting in there as well. At the end of the day, I'm one of the 11 running down on the kickoff. They ideally don't want me doing that in the preseason, but, I wasn't told not to."

Gano said the new NFL kickoff rules have not required him to make a significant adjustment.

"I'm used to just kicking the ball where they want me to kick it," he said. "It's nothing really different for me. I think we're doing a good job. The team's responded well."