It is no sure thing that Tommy DeVito will make it an Italian Thanksgiving for the Giants.
DeVito is “not 100 percent” certain to play Thursday against the Cowboys, head coach Brian Daboll said.
The starting quarterback was limited during Tuesday’s two walk-throughs because he is dealing with right forearm soreness and a stiff neck after taking a beating during his first start of the season.
DeVito had a rough first start of the 2024 season. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post“My whole body is kind of sore,” DeVito said. “It was my first time playing in a while and I took a couple shots. It’s not even 48 hours [later], so things are still kind of just settling in.”
DeVito said “the plan is to play” after receiving medical treatment and hoping for less soreness as the week progresses. But he wasn’t able to test his throwing arm much because of the light format of a walk-through — as compared to a true practice — and the need to give a few reps to backup Drew Lock.
“We don’t really throw intensely or urgently, so I wasn’t able to get a great gauge of that, but [Wednesday] I will,” DeVito said. “I haven’t really tested it. I’m kind of still just recovering. It’s like a bruise. You don’t want to aggravate it too much.”
The Buccaneers notched nine hits on DeVito, including four sacks.
Tommy DeVito being attended to Sunday. Charles Wenzelberg / New York PostSome of the worst damage was done late in the 30-7 loss, including the hit that brought DeVito to the sideline for one play to catch his breath and a couple on the final drive when the Giants were fruitlessly calling timeouts to extend the game.
The quick turnaround to play against the Cowboys is adding to the challenge for DeVito, who became the starter last week when the Giants benched (and later cut) Daniel Jones.
He completed 21-of-31 passes for 189 yards without a touchdown or an interception in his season debut.
“It’s kind of just adding up all the hits,” DeVito said. “Tuesday is usually when things settle into your body [after] you get hit on Sundays. Usually, Mondays, a little sore. Tuesdays are usually the worst day. So, having an extra four or five days after that usually helps. But obviously this week it’s very different.”
DeVito doesn’t have fond memories of making his first career start in Dallas last November.
Before all the hoopla that came with DeVito’s three-game winning streak, pinched-fingers touchdown celebration and local-boy-turned-fan-favorite story, he was just an undrafted rookie third-stringer starting in place of Jones and Tyrod Taylor.
Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito #15, speaking to the media in the locker room. Charles Wenzelberg / New York PostThe Giants started their first two possessions of that game in the shadow of their own goal line, gained one first down in the first half and trailed 28-0 at halftime on the way to a 49-17 loss.
“The memory of Dallas is being backed up on the 1-yard line my first snap,” DeVito said. “So much has happened from then. That was my first start, a little nervous going into it. I’ve kind of been around the block now, played in that stadium before, in that crowd. Obviously, Thanksgiving’s a little bit different, but I look forward to another challenge.”
If DeVito is out and Lock starts, then the backup would be Tim Boyle, who was signed to the practice squad last week and later elevated to the active roster.
It also would add to the strange circumstances for Lock, who was Jones’ top backup — ahead of DeVito — for the first 10 games of the season but was bypassed to be next in line.
“Just typical of the job. Always got to be ready,” Lock said. “No matter what the week, no matter what the situation is, just [preparing] like you’re going to go in there and play.My mindset didn’t change this week, and we’ll see how the rest of the week shakes out.”
One of DeVito’s main goals for this season is to get the ball out quicker than he did last season, when he was sacked on a ridiculous 17.2 percent of his dropbacks.
But that gets harder if the injury-riddled Giants are starting backup tackles Evan Neal and Chris Hubbard against a Micah Parsons-led pass rush.
“He fought,” Lock said. “He was seeing the field well, even regurgitating on the sideline what he was seeing, what he was thinking, what he wanted to do. I thought he was playing smart, playing fast. I thought he played well.”






