Tommy DeVito will make his first career NFL start Sunday for the New York Giants as they deal with an injury-riddled quarterback room. The rookie undrafted free agent is a native of the area and has a unique living situation for a 25-year-old professional athlete.
Tommy DeVito Drawing Comfort From Home
DeVito is set to start in New York’s game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday after the Giants have had to place quarterbacks Tyrod Taylor and Daniel Jones on injured reserve in recent weeks.
Jones went down with what was later revealed to be a torn ACL in last week’s loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Taylor, meanwhile, suffered a rib injury in the Week 8 loss to the New York Jets that will keep him sidelined until at least the Giants’ Week 14 clash with the Green Bay Packers.
DeVito began the year on New York’s practice squad before he was signed to the active roster last week after Taylor went to IR.
Yet, ahead of his first career start, DeVito is still living with his parents in his childhood home in Cedar Grove, New Jersey, just nine miles away from the Giants’ stadium and practice facility.
“It was a no-brainer for me,” DeVito told ESPN about living with his parents. “Everything that I need is there at the house. The decision was made since this level of football is stressful for a rookie, especially from the quarterback position. There is a lot going on, a lot of meetings. So everything outside of football is handled by my family.
“I don’t have to worry about laundry, what I’m eating for dinner, chicken cutlets and all that is waiting for me when I get there. My mom still makes my bed. Everything is handled for me. Honestly, I don’t even know if I could find a place closer to here than where I live. It takes me 12 minutes to get here.”
Early Growing Pains for DeVito
DeVito has been up and down across his first two NFL appearances. He stepped in for Taylor in a Week 8 loss to the Jets, then took over for Jones in last week’s 30-6 defeat against the Raiders. DeVito has gone a combined 17 of 27 for 174 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, alongside eight carries for 29 yards and a score.
MORE: Where Did Tommy DeVito Go to College?
With Jones done for the year and Taylor not slated to return anytime soon, it appears DeVito will get a chance to show what he can do over the next few weeks. The 33-year-old Matt Barkley, who has not appeared in an NFL game since 2020, is New York’s backup QB.
Time will tell how DeVito ultimately fares, but he’s already among the league’s unique stories of unheralded players being thrust into action this season.
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