The last time Tommy DeVito was on the field in a game, he directed the Giants on a 14-play, 75-yard drive, finishing off with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Sterling Shepard.
It was way too late and way too little in last week’s 49-17 loss to the Cowboys.
“Bittersweet,’’ DeVito said Wednesday. “I felt better as the game went on. In the second half I think the offense did a better job executing, but it was too late at that point. But I think we ended off on a good note and we are carrying some of that energy going into practice this week.’’
DeVito will start at quarterback Sunday for the second consecutive game when the Giants face the Commanders at FedEx Field.
He subbed in after Tyrod Taylor hurt his ribs against the Jets and went in the following week after Daniel Jones tore his ACL in the first half in Las Vegas.
Last week, he completed 14 of 27 passes for 86 yards, two touchdowns and one interception amid the end-to-end Dallas domination.
The other options for the Giants are veteran Matt Barkley, signed to the roster last week, and Jacob Eason, who is on the practice squad.
Coach Brian Daboll said he believes DeVito gives the team the best chance to win.
“Yeah, he’s done a good job,’’ Daboll said. “Improving, he’s a young player, he’s a young quarterback so a lot of things you go through. We’ll see if we can get him better this week than he was last week.’’
DeVito was limited in practice with a left shoulder issue but said he is fine.
In his three games, DeVito has completed 57.4 percent of his passes and is averaging only 4.81 yards per attempt.
He has three interceptions and, quite remarkably, his three touchdown passes lead the team.
Taylor is on injured reserve and must miss at least the next two games. Taylor, dealing with a rib cage injury, has said he does not think he is done for the season.
“I’ve got to wait until what the doctors and trainers tell me, but he’s making progress,” Daboll said. “That’s what they tell me.’’
There are prominent players in danger of missing Sunday’s game. OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux, WR Jalin Hyatt and CB Adoree’ Jackson are in the concussion protocol and all three did not participate in practice.
They were outside on the field and able to jog on the side.
This is the second week in the protocol for Jackson.
Thibodeaux and Hyatt were forced out against the Cowboys.
RT Evan Neal (ankle) remains out. It is worth noting that LB Bobby Okereke (hip) did not practice. G Mark Glowinski returned after not making the trip to Las Vegas for personal reasons.
Safety Xavier McKinney politely declined an interview request at his locker and said “I’m not talking for the rest of the year. I’m not mad at you’all. It’s all love.’’
After the loss to the Raiders in Las Vegas, McKinney criticized the defensive coaching staff, saying, “I don’t think they’ve done a great job of letting the leaders lead and listening to the leaders and the captains.’’
That irked defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, who said it was the first time in his career a player made a statement like that about him.
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