With Tommy DeVito still struggling with a sore forearm, Drew Lock will start at quarterback for the Giants for the second game in a row when they face the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
Coach Brian Daboll announced the decision on Wednesday, mentioning that Lock showed some positive moments in the loss to Dallas on Thanksgiving and will take all the first-team snaps.
“I think the reps help a ton,” Lock said on Wednesday. “I’d say anybody in this position would say the same thing. Getting back out there, letting them hear your cadence, letting them hear you calling it in the huddle, rhythm and timing with the receivers, even rhythm and timing for me with my feet on certain plays, whatever we’ve got up this week, it helps tremendously.”
Lock completed 21 of 32 passes for 178 yards and threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown against Dallas. However, he also ran for a career-high 57 yards, including an 8-yard touchdown run, and set up Tyrone Tracy’s short TD run with a 28-yard scramble.
DeVito was injured in his first start after replacing Daniel Jones in the game against Tampa Bay on Nov. 24. He missed the Dallas game and was limited in practice on Wednesday. Daboll said it’s unclear whether DeVito will be able to serve as the backup on Sunday at MetLife Stadium, where the Giants (2-10) have not won in six home games.
If DeVito can’t go, Tim Boyle, who was recently signed, would serve as the backup against the Saints (4-8).
The Giants have had three different quarterbacks start over the past three games.
“It’s professional football,” said Lock, who started against Dallas without any practice due to the short turnaround before that game. “You expect roller coasters here and there. But, just excited to be able to go out and play one more time and get to practice with these guys, let them feel my energy a little bit.”
Lock, who was signed as a free agent in the offseason, was Jones’ backup for the first 10 games. When Daboll benched Jones after a 2-8 start, DeVito was chosen over Lock because DeVito had sparked the team to a three-game winning streak last season with both Jones and backup Tyrod Taylor injured.
DeVito hurt his right forearm late in a 30-7 loss to the Buccaneers, and Lock got the opportunity to play.
New York is also dealing with several injuries this week. Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (elbow) and rookie tight end Theo Johnson (foot surgery) were placed on injured reserve on Monday.
Defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches (neck/shoulder), left tackle Jermaine Eluemunor (quad), right tackle Evan Neal (hip), inside linebacker Bobby Okereke (back), and cornerback Deonte Banks (rib) are all considered week-to-week.
