NFL Preseason Highlights: Alabama Rookie Shines in Lions' Debut

Thursday night marked the kickoff of the NFL preseason's first full week, showcasing the Detroit Lions as they introduced their top two 2024 NFL Draft picks into the starting lineup at cornerback.

With many of Detroit’s key starters resting for their matchup against the New York Giants, the spotlight was on first-round pick Terrion Arnold from Alabama and second-round pick Ennis Rakestraw from Missouri. Arnold played through the first two series but was not targeted by Giants quarterback Drew Lock. Meanwhile, Rakestraw extended his playtime, taking on some snaps at slot cornerback.

The Giants secured a 14-3 win at a soggy MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Eric Gray led the scoring with a pair of touchdown runs in the second quarter, including a 48-yard and a 1-yard rush.

In another Thursday night preseason clash, the New England Patriots triumphed over the Carolina Panthers with a 17-3 scoreline. Fans at a rain-drenched Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, got a glimpse of No. 3 pick Drake Maye in action for one series. Sixth-round pick Joe Milton III saw extended play and threw a 38-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.

A total of eleven players from Alabama high schools and colleges featured in Thursday’s games, with four making their professional debuts:

New England Patriots 17, Carolina Panthers 3

• Patriots center Jake Andrews (Stanhope Elmore, Troy) was on injured reserve and did not participate.
• Patriots wide receiver Javon Baker (Alabama) recorded two receptions for 11 yards in his NFL debut.
• Patriots wide receiver Kawaan Baker (South Alabama) did not log any statistics.
• Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore (Alabama) was absent due to ongoing recovery from blood clots.
• Panthers defensive end Derrick Brown (Auburn) did not play.
• Panthers linebacker Tae Davis (Oxford) contributed with two tackles on defense and one on special teams.
• Anfernee Jennings (Dadeville, Alabama) started at linebacker for the Patriots, adding one tackle.
• Patriots cornerbacks Jonathan Jones (Auburn) and Marcus Jones (Enterprise, Troy) were sidelined.
• Panthers outside linebacker Eku Leota (Auburn) recorded two tackles for loss, one quarterback hit, and a special teams tackle.
• Panthers tight end Jordan Matthews (Madison Academy) had three receptions for 48 yards.
• Patriots safety Dell Pettus (Sparkman, Troy) made four defensive tackles and one special teams tackle in his debut.
• Panthers defensive ends LaBryan Ray (James Clemens, Alabama) and A’Shawn Robinson (Alabama) did not play.
• Patriots cornerback Mikey Victor (Alabama State) broke up one pass in his first game.
• Panthers linebacker Chandler Wooten (Auburn) tallied two tackles.
• Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (Alabama) did not see action.

New York Giants 14, Detroit Lions 3

• Terrion Arnold (Alabama) made his debut as a starting cornerback for the Lions but did not record any statistics.
• Lions defensive back Brian Branch (Alabama) and cornerback Carlton Davis (Auburn) did not play.
• Giants cornerback Cor’Dale Flott (Saraland) did not participate.
• Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (Alabama) was inactive.
• Lions defensive tackle Brodric Martin (Northridge, North Alabama) led his team with four tackles and two pass breakups.
• Giants offensive tackle Evan Neal (Alabama) was inactive due to recovery from ankle surgery.
• Giants defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches (Central-Phenix City) did not play.
• Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (Auburn) was sidelined.
• Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (Alabama) did not take the field.