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Jordan Raanan, ESPN writer
New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito has little chance of playing Thursday against the Dallas Cowboys due to a forearm injury, a source told ESPN on Wednesday.
Drew Lock is in line to make his first start this season for the Giants. Tim Boyle would be his backup.
DeVito is officially listed as questionable and listed as a non-participant in Wednesday’s practice.
He did not travel with the team to Dallas on Wednesday because he was undergoing additional evaluation, the Giants said. The team, however, said it expected him to travel to Dallas later Wednesday.
DeVito took several big hits in Sunday’s 30-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was making his first start of the season after the Giants released former starter Daniel Jones late last week.
Coach Brian Daboll had said Wednesday that DeVito was not 100 percent ready to play because of his injury. The Giants (2-9) are also operating on a short week with just four days between games.
DeVito had said after Tuesday’s tour, in which he participated on a limited basis, that he still wasn’t sure he could throw at full speed. His body was still feeling the effects of four sacks and nine quarterback hits on Sunday.
“I think if it were a normal week, Tuesday is usually when things adjust to your body. When you get hit on Sunday, Monday usually hurts a little bit; Tuesday is usually the worst day,” DeVito said. “So having an extra, whatever it is, four or five days later usually helps.”
Surprisingly, DeVito was named the Giants’ starting quarterback on November 18 in place of Jones after spending the first 10 games of the season as the third starter. He completed 21 of 31 passes for 189 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions against the Bucs.
But the second-year undrafted free agent took big hits in the contest. He left the game on the final drive before returning one play later. DeVito then took another big hit before time expired.
The Giants now turn to Lock after passing on him after Jones was benched for DeVito. Lock spent the first 10 weeks of the season as a backup, with DeVito serving as the emergency third quarterback.
But Daboll entered the bye week and chose DeVito as the starter. Admittedly, Lock was “upset” and “disappointed” by the decision. He promised not to show it and instead fully supported DeVito.
Now, he’s about to make his first start for the Giants, who signed him to a one-year deal worth $5 million guaranteed this offseason. Lock even took some first-team reps during Tuesday’s walkaround, which is unusual for a backup quarterback under Daboll.
Lock has a short week and no real practices to prepare for the NFC East Thanksgiving showdown. He will also play behind an offensive line without his starting tackles. Andrew Thomas (foot) is on injured reserve and Jermaine Eluemunor (quadriceps) was ruled out Wednesday.
“It’s typical of the job. You always have to be ready, no matter the week, no matter what the situation is, just play like you’re going to come in and play.” Lock said after Tuesday’s walkthrough. “My mindset didn’t change this week and we’ll see how the rest of the week plays out.”
