Thursday’s NFL recap: First-round rookie from Alabama makes Lions debut

The first full week of the NFL preseason began Thursday night with the Detroit Lions naming their first two picks in the 2024 NFL Draft as cornerbacks.

Since most of Detroit’s planned starters were not used against the New York Giants, the Lions were able to rely on 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 also played some snaps at the slot corner.

The Giants earned a 14-3 victory at rainy MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Running back Eric Gray scored touchdowns of 48 yards and 1 yard in the second quarter.

In Thursday night’s other preseason game, the New England Patriots defeated the Carolina Panthers 17-3. Spectators at rainy Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, saw No. 3 pick Drake Maye at quarterback for one series. Sixth-round pick Joe Milton III played more, throwing a 38-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.

Eleven players from high schools and colleges in Alabama took the field on Thursday night, including four who made their professional debut:

New England Patriots 17, Carolina Panthers 3

· Patriots center Jake Andrews (Stanhope Elmore, Troy) is on the injured list and is not eligible to play.

· Patriots wide receiver Javon Baker (Alabama) had two catches for 11 yards in his professional debut.

· Patriots wide receiver Kawaan Baker (South Alabama) did not record any statistics.

· Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore (Alabama) did not play. Barmore has not practiced since New England announced on July 28 that he was hospitalized for 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 fullback Eku Leota (Auburn) recorded two tackles for loss, a quarterback hit and a special teams tackle.

· Panthers tight end Jordan Matthews (Madison Academy) had three catches for 48 yards.

· Patriots safety Dell Pettus (Sparkman, Troy) made four tackles on defense and one on special teams in his professional 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) intercepted a pass in his professional 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 his first professional game at cornerback for the Lions. Arnold did not record any statistics.

· 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, Alabama) was tied for the team lead with four tackles and two passes defended.

· Giants offensive tackle Evan Neal (Alabama) is on active duty/physically unable to play and is therefore ineligible to play. Neal underwent 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.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.