AT A GLANCE

While John Harbaugh made his Giants debut at MetLife Stadium, quarterback Jaxson Dart started the preseason opener and threw a touchdown to rookie wide receiver Malachi Fields. Linebacker Jack Kelly, another 2026 draft pick, led the team in tackles, but Giants ultimately fell to the Vikings 13-10.

UP NEXT

The Giants will travel to Miami for a joint practice with the Dolphins on Thursday ahead of their matchup next Saturday, Aug. 22 (4 p.m.). The Giants will then wrap up the preseason against the Jets on Friday, Aug. 28, before the initial 53-man roster must be announced by 6 p.m. that Sunday.

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE OFFENSE

Starters:

• LT Marcus Mbow
• LG Jon Runyan
• C Bryan Hudson
• RG Francis "Sisi" Mauigoa
• RT Jermaine Eluemunor
• FB Patrick Ricard
• RB Cam Skattebo
• QB Jaxson Dart
• TE Theo Johnson
• WR Darius Slayton
• WR Darnell Mooney

Jaxson Dart and most of the first-team offense started on Saturday. The first play was a handoff to Cam Skattebo, who took it for a four-yard gain in his first game since suffering a serious ankle injury on Oct. 26, 2025. Skattebo finished with four carries for 19 yards.

Dart's day included three completions on four pass attempts for 26 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown to rookie wide receiver Malachi Fields. The score came on the second drive of the game, which included brief cameo by Jameis Winston to start the second quarter while Dart was evaluated for a concussion after he took a big hit on a sack. The Giants moved into scoring position on a 40-yard catch-and-run by running back Devin Singletary on a pass from Winston, before Dart re-entered the game and threw the touchdown.

Fields, a third-round pick, caught all three of his targets for 34 yards (11.3 yards per catch), including the score.

Winston took over full-time on the third possession of the game and finished with just one incompletion on nine attempts while he threw for 89 yards.

Bryan Hudson started at center in place of John Michael Schmitz, who has been dealing with a concussion.

Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. entered late in first half to a large cheer from the MetLife Stadium crowd. He went on to catch two passes on three targets for six yards.

One of the most electric players ever to wear a Giants uniform, Beckham returned to the team that drafted him 12 years ago. He last played for the Giants on Dec. 2, 2018, a 30-27 overtime victory over the Bears at MetLife Stadium. The final catch he made was a one-yard touchdown from Eli Manning late in the third quarter.

Brandon Allen was the third quarterback in and was intercepted by linebacker Jacob Roberts on his first throw midway through the third quarter. Safety Jacob Thomas intercepted him again early in the fourth quarter.

Wide receiver Dalen Cambre had a a big play on a 20-yard reception from Allen late in the game.

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE DEFENSE

Starters:

• DL Darius Alexander
• DL Josh Tupou
• DL Leki Fotu
• OLB Abdul Carter
• OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux
• LB Micah McFadden
• LB Arvell Reese
• CB Colton Hood
• CB Deonte Banks
• S Ar'Darius Washington
• S Tyler Nubin

Linebacker Arvell Reese, the No. 5 overall pick, and second-round cornerback Colton Hood were among the three rookie starters on Saturday, joining right guard Francis "Sisi" Mauigoa (No. 10 overall pick). Reese had two tackles (one solo) while Hood had three stops (two solo).

Darius Alexander, a second-year defensive lineman who has made his share of plays at training camp, had the Giants' only sack of the game. The former third-round pick had 3.5 sacks in his rookie season.

Rookie linebacker Jack Kelly, a sixth-round pick from BYU, led the team with five total tackles (two solo).

Chauncey Golston, a versatile defender in the front seven, had two quarterback hits and a tackle for loss.

Fotu broke up a pass and nearly had an interception in the third quarter.

The Vikings took the lead late in the third quarter on a one-handed touchdown catch by Myles Price on a one-yard throw from Carson Wentz. The drive was kept alive by two passing interference penalties on cornerbacks Korie Black and Art Green.

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT SPECIAL TEAMS

Saturday was the first live test for the new-look kicking battery. Ben Sauls, the only returning Giant in the operation who is competing with Dominic Zvada for the kicking job, handled kickoff and field goal duties. With undrafted rookie Ben Mann long snapping the ball to holder/punter Jordan Stout, Sauls made his lone attempt from 46 yards as time expired in the first half, giving the Giants a 10-3 lead at the time. He also made an extra point.

Veteran receiver and returner Braxton Berrios made a nice move on a 15-yard punt return midway through the first quarter.

Stout, a first-team All-Pro for the Ravens last season, downed two of his five punts inside the 20 with a long of 60 yards.

GAME CAPTAINS

QB Jaxson Dart, P Jordan Stout, and OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux represented the Giants for the pregame coin toss.

INJURY REPORT

QB Jaxson Dart (evaluated for a concussion/cleared)