Giants’ quarterback plan for Week 10
Coach Brian Daboll met with the media early Wednesday afternoon before his team ramped up on-field preparations for this Sunday’s game in Dallas.
🔹 With Daniel Jones out for the year due to a torn ACL, Daboll said undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito will start this Sunday against the Cowboys. Matt Barkley, who joined the practice squad last week, will serve as the No. 2 quarterback.
🔹 Daboll was asked about the decision to go with DeVito. “I mean, he’s been here for a long time. He has picked up our stuff so we’re going to go with DeVito here. Barks only been here for a week. There’s obviously nuances and things that he’s learning but he’ll be ready to go to back him up.”
🔹 Outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari will be designated to return to practice. The third-year pro had been on injured reserve and has not played since Week 5 with an ankle injury. He also missed Weeks 2-3 with a hamstring issue. “Hopefully he’ll be ready to go this week,” Daboll said.
🔹 DeVito is “putting everything he has” into preparing for his first start. “He’s looking forward to the opportunity and he’ll be out there with the first group, we had a good walkthrough with him, so he’s doing everything he can do to put himself in a good position to be ready to go.”
Daboll’s message to the team: “Look, obviously, we’re not where we want to be, make no excuses about it. We have the right mindset. We’ll go out there and have a good week of practice, get ready to go. That’s what you do every week.”
🔹 DeVito is a “competitive young man” and has “handled himself the right way in terms of being a young player in a room with two veteran guys and has done everything we’ve asked him to do.”
🔹 Evan Neal, who returned from one ankle injury only to suffer one to the other, is in the “week-to-week” category. “Not going to say he’s definitely not going to make it, but I’d say he’s probably more week-to-week than day-to-day.”
🔹 Cornerback Adoree’ Jackson and running back Deon Jackson are in the concussion protocol.
🔹 On Tuesday, the Giants signed Jacob Eason, another quarterback and 2020 fourth-round draft choice, to the practice squad. “I’d say we had conversations about a lot of guys, but Jacob came in, he was with us one time for a quick stint before, had a good workout. Feel good about him.”
🔹 On Matt Barkley: “I have some experience with Matt. Shea does as well. There’s obviously some of the things that we do that are similar to what he’s been used to. He’s done this a long time. He’s played on a lot of different teams. He’s been through this part of the program, so he’s a pro. He’s picking it up. If he happened to play, we’d do the things that we think Matt can do well.”
🔹 Inside linebacker Micah McFadden is “smart, is fast, is instinctive, has good toughness. I think (inside linebacker) Bobby (Okereke) coming in has really helped. I think Egs, John, Egs (Inside Linebackers Coach John Egorugwu) has done a great job with both those guys. He’s a good, young player. I’m happy we drafted him and he’s really earning the things that he’s getting. He’s been productive. He’s got a nose for the football, can play sideline-to-sideline, makes some productive tackles. He’s really developed the way you hope young players develop.”
