Vereen’s much-anticipated return cut short by concussion

Shane Vereen’s comeback was a long time in the making, but it came and went in a heartbeat.

Vereen made his return Sunday after missing nine games with a torn triceps. His previous game was a Sept. 25 loss to the Redskins. Vereen was activated off injured reserve Saturday after practicing the past two weeks. He was on the field on the first series, and Eli Manning threw his way on a third-down play, but the pass was incomplete.

Vereen’s first and only catch went for 10 yards on third-and-15, but that turned out to be his final play of the night. He came away from that play with a concussion, ending his evening.

The Giants hoped Vereen would provide a spark to an anemic offense, as he is the best pass-catcher out of the backfield on the roster. Now his status for the remainder of the season is in doubt.

Odell Beckham Jr.’ s 61yard touchdown catch and run late in the third quarter was his 34th scoring reception from Manning. That moved Beckham past Plaxico Burress, who had 33 TDs from Manning. … CB Janoris Jenkins held Dez Bryant to no receptions on two targets in the first half and came away with an interception when he jumped a route and Bryant slipped. It was only the third interception of the season thrown by rookie Dak Prescott, his first since Oct. 30 vs. the Eagles. ... DT Johnathan Hankins was forced out in the second half with a neck burner. … Ben McAdoo won a replay challenge in the second quarter contesting the ruling on the field that Doug Free was not touched after recovering a fumble. Devon Kennard, who had a sack on the play, made contact with Free with his legs on the Giants 41. ... Justin Pugh missed his fifth straight game with a knee injury. He was replaced once again by Marshall Newhouse as the starting left guard. Pugh practiced all week on a limited basis but was not cleared to play. He has a good shot at making his return Sunday vs. the Lions. … DE Owa Odighizuwa could not make it all the way back from a knee issue and was inactive. The Giants were hoping to have the second-year pass-rusher available to help offset the loss of Jason Pierre-Paul. Romeo Okwara, an undrafted rookie from Notre Dame, made his first NFL start, moving into JPP’s left defensive end spot.

Other Giants inactives: QB Josh Johnson, WR Tavarres King, S Nat Berhe and LB Mark Herzlich.

Cowboys inactives: QB Mark Sanchez, WR Lucky Whitehead, CB Morris Claiborne, S J.J. Wilcox, RB Darius Jackson, DE Ryan Davis and T Chaz Green. Whitehead was not injured but he was not taken on this trip because he missed a team meeting. Whitehead is the Cowboys’ primary punt and kickoff returner.

Mariano Rivera participated in the pregame, ringing the bell for the “Hell’s Bells” music introductions as the Giants took the field.