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4 Players Whose Stock Rose From the Giants' Preseason Opener
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- 4 Players Whose Stock Rose From the Giants' Preseason Opener
The New York Giants did some good things in their 13-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in their preseason opener Saturday.
Their starters played about a quarter. Their defense limited the Vikings to 102 first-half yards, and the Giants successfully executed a two-minute drill that turned into a field goal right before halftime.
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So here are four individual players whose stock rose from their play in Week 1 of the preseason.
Devin Singletary , Running Back
The Giants have been linked to veteran running backs like Najee Harris , but if Singletary plays the way he looked Saturday, they won't need to add another back.
Singletary made the game's biggest play, a 40-yard catch and run on a screen pass that turned third-and-23 into a first down in Vikings territory. But Singletary also had a nine-yard run before losing six yards on his next two carries, which were smothered by the Vikings' defensive line.
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Singletary's status on the roster is tenuous, which makes this week important for him. But he showed well Saturday.
Jameis Winston , Quarterback
Not only did Brandon Allen look dreadful, but Winston made the most of his opportunity to play parts of four series. Winston finished 8-of-9 for 89 yards, posting the second-highest quarterback rating (107.9) of any of the six quarterbacks who played, behind only Jaxson Dart .
He subbed in when Dart went into the blue medical tent and moved the Giants to the 15-yard line before Dart re-entered and found Malachi Fields for the team's only touchdown.
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Later, Winston took the Giants 17 yards, setting up Ben Sauls ' 46-yard field goal right before halftime. Perhaps more importantly, he avoided negative plays, aside from a fumble and one penalty.
He is looking positively passable, which is important since it took Dart just one game to need a concussion evaluation.
Chauncey Golston , Defensive End
Golston did not start the game but was both a solid pass rusher and run-stuffer Saturday. He is still in a roster competition, primarily competing for playing time with both Kayvon Thibodeaux and Darius Alexander .
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But Golston showed what he is capable of during a standout performance Saturday. He had two solo tackles, one for a loss, and two hits on Minnesota backup quarterback J.J. McCarthy in the second quarter.
Jason Pinnock , Safety
Pinnock, who returned on a one-year deal, is fighting with Tyler Nubin for the team's strong safety position. Although Nubin started alongside Ar'Darius Washington, who also played well, Pinnock outplayed Nubin, posting two solo tackles in 22 snaps.
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It remains to be seen if the Giants will hold onto four safeties on their active roster, particularly with their current injury dilemma at cornerback. But after an injury-plagued season in San Francisco , Pinnock boosted his stock Saturday.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Aug 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
