EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Saints starters on both sides of the ball made an early impact in Saturday night’s preseason game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.

The Saints used the first two possession to jump out to a 10-0 lead before replacements rotated in before the end of the first quarter.

By the start of the third quarter, backups for both teams dominated the lineups. The Saints, however, held on for a 28-13 win to improve to 2-1 in the preseason.

Here are areas that stood out:

BREES MAKES PRESEASON DEBUT

Quarterback Drew Brees saw his first action of the preseason and was highly effective on the team’s opening drive. Brees completed 4 of 6 passes for 68 yards and a touchdown while leading the Saints on an eight-play, 72-yard drive, which was capped off by a 19-yard scoring strike to wide receiver Michael Thomas.

The Saints quarterback’s four completions were split between Thomas and running back Alvin Kamara.

Brees’ night proved short after the efficient drive, as backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater entered the game on the team’s second possession. Brees left the game with a 144.4 passer rating.

STRONG DEFENSIVE SHOWING

The Saints defense closed out training camp with a stout outing against the starting offensive, and it carried over to the first quarter against the Jets.

The Saints held Jets starting quarterback Sam Darnold to 4 of 7 completions for 41 yards, a 74.1 passer rating, on New York’s first three possessions.

Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore came up big with a strip-fumble recovery on Jets running back Ty Montgomery, and the Saints as a first-team group limited the Jets to 48 total yards in the first quarter.

Through the first half featuring mostly first- and second-team defenders, the Saints limited the Jets to 124 total yards and seven points.

ROTATIONS

Brees wasn’t the only starter to exit after the first drive. Thomas, Kamara and left tackle Terron Armstead were also pulled.

With Latavius Murray not playing, Dwayne Washington replaced Kamara. Keith Kirkwood came in for Thomas, while Michael Ola took over at left tackle for Armstead.

Late in the first quarter, the Saints rotated in Trey Hendrickson at left defensive end in place of Cameron Jordan.

The Saints also featured an all-backup offensive line by the fourth possession with Ola, left guard Nick Easton, center Cameron Tom, right guard Will Clapp and right tackle Patrick Omameh.

If there was anything to glean from Armstead’s short night, it surrounded the drop at left tackle with Ola in the game, as Bridgewater faced immediate pressure. Veteran Marshall Newhouse typically rotated at left tackle during training camp, but he’s missed practice time the past week for undisclosed reasons.

Saints RB Dwayne Washington suffers concussion, leaves preseason game vs. Jets early Saints running back Dwayne Washington suffered a concussion and left New Orleans' preseason game against the New York Jets early on Saturday.

MOUNTING INJURIES

One of the biggest concerns in preseason action surrounds dodging injuries, especially in the third contest with the regular season looming on the horizon.

Unfortunately, the Saints didn’t come out of Saturday’s game unscathed.

Tight end Garrett Griffin, wide receiver Keith Kirkwood, wide receiver Austin Carr, running back Dwayne Washington and linebacker Josh Martin all left the game at some point and headed to the locker room.

Griffin’s injury appeared to be the most serious. He went down midway through the first quarter and had to be helped off the field by the team’s medical and training staff. Griffin was then briefly taken to the medical tent before a cart took Griffin through the tunnel to the locker room.

Kirkwood, who was making his preseason debut after missing the first two games for undisclosed reasons, walked to the locker room with a trainer before halftime.

Carr also left the field before halftime, while Martin went to the locker room in the third quarter and Washington left in the third quarter with a concussion.

The Saints began the game without linebackers Alex Anzalone and Craig Robertson, both of whom have been dealing with undisclosed injuries. Rookie safety Saquan Hampton and cornerback Marcus Sherels also did not suit up.

Saints TE Garrett Griffin carted to locker room during preseason game vs. Jets Saints tight end Garrett Griffin was carted to the locker room during New Orleans' preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday.

BRIDGEWATER’S UNEVEN NIGHT

After an efficient start to the preseason, Bridgewater struggled last week while playing with an illness. He had an opportunity to rebound Saturday night, but mostly didn’t do much to inspire confidence in the first half before giving way to Taysom Hill after halftime.

Bridgewater completed 15 of 26 passes for 143 yards while posting a 73.1 passer rating in five possessions. He was also sacked once and led the Saints on one scoring drive, which came on a Wil Lutz 40-yard field goal.

HARRIS MAKES CASE

Rookie wide receiver Deonte Harris might have run his way to the initial 53-player roster after busting a 78-yard punt return for a touchdown.

Harris’ explosion has been on display through the first two preseason games, and it always felt like a matter of time before he broke free. He has also taken clear advantage of cornerback Marcus Sherels’ absence in recent weeks to move up the totem pole at the returner positions.