Takeaways: How did Drake Maye, Malik Nabers do in their debuts?

NFL Nation, ESPNAug 8, 2024, 10:30 PM ET

The 2024 NFL preseason is now underway, with the Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots, New York Giants and Detroit Lions kicking off on Thursday. The rest of the league continues with games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (full schedule below).

Week 1 of preseason games serves as a first look into the new players on each team — whether they are rookies or offseason acquisitions. To keep you updated on how players all faired in their first game action, our NFL Nation reporters summarize the top debuts below.

Thursday’s games

Patriots: The 2024 No. 3 overall pick, Drake Maye, entered the game on the second series, following veteran starter Jacoby Brissett, and it was his lone action. In all, he played seven snaps, which broke down this way: Three runs, three passes, one false-start penalty. Two of the passes were screens — the first a 13-yarder to RB Antonio Gibson on third-and-12. Maye finished 2-of-3 for 19 yards.

Some fans in attendance booed when Maye wasn’t sent out for a third series, with Bailey Zappe taking over until late in the third quarter when rookie Joe Milton III capped off the four-man QB rotation. Milton brought some excitement to the lackluster game with a 12-yard run that covered a lot of ground as he scrambled backwards initially, and later with a 13-yard run and 38-yard TD pass to WR JaQuae Jackson. Undrafted free agent punt returner David Wallis of Division III Randolph-Macon was also one of the night’s big winners with a 23-yard effort to set up the first TD. — Mike Reiss

Next game: vs. Eagles (7 p.m. ET, Thursday)

Panthers: Thirty-three players were inactive, including the entire starting defense — except cornerback Dane Jackson. GM Dan Morgan fought to draft Jackson at Buffalo in 2020, and brought him to Carolina on a two-year deal that could pay up to $14.5 million. The thought was Jackson could start opposite injury-plagued Jaycee Horn. That he played could be an indication he’s still in prove it mode. It also could mean Morgan still is in the market for veteran corner Stephon Gilmore. Jackson had three tackles against the Patriots, but that he was on the field might be telling.

It was also apparent that undrafted rookie quarterback Jack Plummer is no threat to beat out veteran Andy Dalton (hamstring) for the backup job. To be fair, he played behind the second-team line that hasn’t performed well during the preseason. He also had consecutive passes dropped by wide receivers Jonathan Mingo and Terrace Marshall Jr., which is concerning since both have looked good in camp. Mingo is listed as a starter ahead of first-round pick Xavier Legette (foot). — David Newton

Next game: vs. Jets (7 p.m. ET, Saturday, Aug. 17)

Eric Gray scores on 48-yard rushing TD

Eric Gray runs for a 48-yard touchdown to put the Giants up 7-3.

Giants: The Giants got all their rookies into NFL game action, including first-round pick Malik Nabers. The young wide receiver, who has been dominant throughout training camp and joint practices, played 12 snaps on Thursday night against the Lions, mostly with the second-team offense. He ran eight routes and wasn’t targeted by backup quarterback Drew Lock, despite being open on multiple occasions.

Quarterback Daniel Jones and the starting offensive line did not play in the contest. Mostly, it was an uneventful evening for Nabers at MetLife Stadium, aside from being the last player introduced for the home fans during pregame warmups. While Nabers, the No. 6 overall pick earlier this year, escaped unscathed physically, the same couldn’t be said for Lock. He left the game late in the first quarter with a hip injury and did not return. It did not appear serious as he remained on the sideline, but it’s something worth monitoring with the Giants having only three quarterbacks (Jones, Lock and Tommy DeVito) on their roster. — Jordan Raanan

Next game: at Texans (1 p.m. ET, Saturday, Aug. 17)

Lions: After an intense week of joint practices against the New York Giants, where multiple fights occurred, most of the Lions starters didn’t suit up in the first preseason game. Rookie cornerbacks Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. looked good in their debuts despite limited action. Arnold, the No. 24 overall pick, would end his day after three series while Rakestraw, a second-round pick, registered two tackles while making some solid defensive plays.

Second-year signal caller Hendon Hooker saw his first game action since college after recovering from a torn ACL. Entering the game after halftime, Hooker ended up finding a groove, going 5-for-9 with 36 passing yards and a team-high 34 rushing yards — including a 16-yard gain where he lowered his shoulder to get the first down near the end of the third quarter. Hooker’s night would end early as he entered the locker room and wouldn’t return at the start of the fourth with a possible concussion. — Eric Woodyard

Next game: at Chiefs (4 p.m. ET, Saturday, Aug. 17)