I was going to say most of that damage looks like it could have been from the windy trip in the truck. It's too random and irregular to be insect or disease damage. The color on the leaves is pretty good so, I'd go with what Daisy suggested and wait until they start putting out new growth in the spring before you get too worried.
As far as planting in the ground goes, well if you're sure you'll be staying in that house for some years, they'll surely do better in the ground than in barrels when it comes to bearing fruit. The one thing I'd do if you do plant them out is be sure not to grow grass or any other ground cover around or over the root system of the trees. (don't forget that once established, the roots extend out past the drip line).
In fact, given your drought situation, not a bad idea to mulch thickly in a large circle around them, to keep weeds and grass from stealing water and nutrients, keep the soil cooler and prevent erosion. It's a subject of debate whether to mulch under citrus or not, but I always do, and had wonderful results as long as I kept the mulch at least 6in. or so away from the trunk. Citrus have their feeder roots pretty close to the soil surface, so drying out and competing with grasses and weeds can really set them back.
