East Rutherford, New Jersey – With most of the starters and key contributors having the night off, Thursday's preseason opener for the Detroit Lions was a chance for young players, backups and roster hopefuls to impress coaches in a game setting after two days of joint practices against the New York Giants Monday and Tuesday.
Rainy and wet conditions persisted throughout the contest, making it less than ideal for both offenses, but the Giants were able to come up with a few more plays in a 14-3 New York victory.
Detroit struggled to move the ball with any consistency in the first half with quarterback Nate Sudfeld starting and playing up to halftime. Detroit had just 87 yards of offense in the first half compared to 172 yards for the Giants.
The first points of the game came on the right leg of Lions kicker Jake Bates on a 53-yard field goal set up by a Brandon Joseph interception returned to the Giants' 35-yard line. Bates has had an up-and-down training camp, so it was good to see him knock his first attempt of the preseason right down the middle.
View photos from the Detroit Lions vs. New York Giants Preseason Week 1 game at MetLife Stadium on Thursday, August 8 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44) and Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) and Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (43) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Parker Hesse (43) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Giovanni Manu (59) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (19) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (8) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaiah Williams (83) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Loren Strickland (48) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (8) and Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (42) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (43) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Isaac Ukwu (45) and Detroit Lions defensive lineman Chris Smith (90) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Morice Norris (39) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (15) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Ben Niemann (51) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Isaac Ukwu (45) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0), Detroit Lions cornerback Morice Norris (39), and Detroit Lions safety Brandon Joseph (40) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Brandon Joseph (40) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (43) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Pat O'Connor (69) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Brandon Joseph (40) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Brodric Martin (99) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (8) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Parker Hesse (43) and Detroit Lions safety C.J. Moore (38) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Nate Lynn (57) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Morice Norris (39) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Isaac Ukwu (45) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Ben Niemann (51) and Detroit Lions guard Netane Muti (52) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Nate Lynn (57) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (15) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jermar Jefferson (28), Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (8), and Detroit Lions offensive lineman Connor Galvin (76) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Chris Smith (90) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end James Mitchell (82) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Connor Galvin (76) and Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (8) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (8) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions center Kingsley Eguakun (65), Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (8), Detroit Lions guard Ike Boettger (78), and Detroit Lions offensive lineman Connor Galvin (76) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions guard Kayode Awosika (74) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Zonovan Knight (27) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Giovanni Manu (59) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Pat O'Connor (69) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Mathieu Betts (95) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions guard Ike Boettger (78) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Zonovan Knight (27) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Zonovan Knight (27) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions guard Jake Burton (67) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Connor Galvin (76), Detroit Lions guard Jake Burton (67), Detroit Lions center Bryan Hudson (64), Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2), Detroit Lions running back Zonovan Knight (27), and Detroit Lions offensive lineman Giovanni Manu (59) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaiah Williams (83) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo (94) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety C.J. Moore (38) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Mitchell Agude (50), Detroit Lions cornerback Kindle Vildor (29), Detroit Lions linebacker DaRon Gilbert (53), and Detroit Lions safety C.J. Moore (38) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Mitchell Agude (50) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Mitchell Agude (50) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (8) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Giovanni Manu (59) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (8) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaiah Williams (83) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal (75) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions long snapper Hogan Hatten (49) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Mitchell Agude (50) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions long snapper Hogan Hatten (49) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jake Funk (36) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (19) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
The Giants took the lead 7-3 with a little over nine minutes left in the second quarter on an Eric Gray 48-yard touchdown run. New York extended the lead to 14-3 on a 1-yard Gray touchdown run with just under five minutes left in the first half. That would end the scoring for the night.
Hendon Hooker, who was playing in his first game action since tearing his ACL two years ago at the University of Tennessee, started the second half for the Lions and played into the fourth quarter until leaving due to a concussion, per head coach Dan Campbell.
Before he left, Hooker completed 5-of-9 passes for 36 yards, and orchestrated the best drive of the night for the Lions – 14 plays for 65 yards – but it stalled at the 3-yard line with an incomplete pass on 4th & goal.
Sudfeld led a late fourth-quarter drive into the red zone, but he couldn't convert a 4th & goal from the 3-yard line as the Lions failed to find the end zone. Detroit was just 5-of-17 on third down, 0-for-4 on fourth down and 0-for-3 in the red zone in the contest.
QB comparison: Sudfeld and Hooker have rotated second-team reps throughout the first three weeks of training camp as they compete to be Jared Goff's backup.
Sudfeld started the game and played the entire first half. He was 7-of-15 passing for 40 yards with an interception and a passer rating of 25.7. Detroit's offense accumulated just four first downs in Sudfeld's eight series of work. After replacing Hooker in the fourth quarter, Sudfeld was better, completing six of his nine attempts for 56 yards to finish the game.
Hooker was pretty poised for it being his first game action in nearly two years. He also showed off some athleticism and playmaking ability with his legs, rushing four times for 34 yards (8.5 avg.) to lead the Lions in that department.
Rookie report: Detroit's rookies made their NFL debut Thursday, including top two picks Terrion Arnold (first round) and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (second), who both started the game at the two outside cornerback spots.
Arnold played the first two defensive series before giving way to veteran Khalil Dorsey. Arnold wasn't thrown at in his two series of work. Rakestraw played into the second half playing both outside and in the nickel. He finished with two tackles.
Fourth-round pick Sione Vaki had a couple really nice runs showing off some elusiveness and racking up 29 rushing yards on just four carries for a 7.3-yard average per carry. Rookie offensive lineman Giovanni Manu held his own playing left tackle in the second half, though he was flagged for a false start in the fourth quarter.
Undrafted rookie wide receiver Isaiah Williams had four receptions for 35 yards.
Key stat: Minus the one big Gray run, Detroit's defense played pretty well throughout the contest, especially on third down. The Giants were just 1-for-10 on third down in the game and had 250 yards of total offense in the contest.
Injury report: Hooker left the game after his second drive of the second half, going into the medical tent and then leaving for the locker room. He did not return to the game.
Also leaving the contest with injuries were second-year wide receiver Antoine Green, defensive lineman David Bada and offensive lineman Connor Galvin, who was carted off the field.
