Those who arrived at MetLife Stadium eager to see Daniel Jones play early and often will have to wait a bit to watch the rookie from Duke. Eli Manning was set to start at quarterback for the Giants as they opened their preseason schedule Thursday night against the Jets.

Last season, coach Pat Shurmur, in his first preseason game with the Giants, decided to start Manning and play him three offensive series. Manning then did not play the following week.

Manning against the Jets is expected to play one series and perhaps a second series with the starting offense before giving way to Jones. Much of the hubbub leading into the game centers around Jones’ debut. Jones likely will enter the game and play in the second quarter and up until halftime. The Giants will not keep Manning in the game to work with the backup offensive linemen.

Shurmur also likely wants to get a look at Alex Tanney and Kyle Lauletta, the other two quarterbacks on the roster.

Running back Saquon Barkley is fully healthy but the Giants are cognizant of his workload, which is why Barkley will spend the game on the sideline and not take the field for this preseason opener.

Prior to the game, Manning caught up with Davis Webb, his former teammate with the Giants. Webb is attempting to stick on the Jets’ roster as a reserve quarterback to starter Sam Darnold.