Tommy DeVito started and went the whole way Saturday night as the Giants closed out their preseason with a dreary 10-6 loss to the Jets at MetLife Stadium.
It was a rough evening for DeVito, who did not get much help from an offensive line that made life difficult for him in the pocket.
This was a backup-only production for the Giants, as the only starter they used in the game was center John Michael Schmitz, who needed snaps after missing so much time in camp with a shoulder injury.
The risk proved to be a painful one, as Schmitz got the back of his right leg rolled up on a failed fourth-down run and was checked out on the sideline by trainers.
He did not return to the game with what the Giants called an ankle injury.
It did not appear to be a serious issue but the season opener is only two weeks away.
“Ankle’s fine,’’ Schmitz said. “It was nice to get some live action out there, no matter who was out there, just to get those game reps. They were valuable reps.’’
Schmitz said he is not worried about his availability for the season opener.
Coach Brian Daboll explained that he needed to get Schmitz in some live action.
“Offensive linemen need to lean on people, pass block, run block, be in the trenches,’’ Daboll said. “Second-year guy we’re counting on being a starter for us and he hasn’t been out there.’’
Daboll said Schmitz will get an MRI exam on Sunday.
DeVito was sacked on three consecutive plays in the second quarter, with Evan Neal getting beat once and Josh Ezeudu, starting at left tackle, getting beat twice.
DeVito ended up getting sacked eight times by the Jets backups. His rare bright moment came early in the fourth quarter, when he scrambled for 15 yards and then found tight end Jack Stoll for an 18-yard gain.
The Giants got the ball back on their 37-yard line with 1:43 remaining. DeVito moved his team into Jets territory but not into scoring range. He finished 14 of 27 for 103 yards.
“Ups and downs,’’ DeVito said. “There were a lot of sputters, there was some really good and there was some eh. Wish I had a couple back. Some sacks, I could have just got the ball out, helped the play-callers and the offense be in a better situation.’’
Now DeVito must wait to find out if he makes the team, with cuts coming on Tuesday. Drew Lock, signed to be the backup, is dealing with oblique and hip issues and the Giants might need to keep three quarterbacks.
Neal made his preseason debut, starting at right tackle, but he was forced out with an injury to the left ankle that was surgically repaired in the offseason.
“I just got rolled up on,’’ Neal said. “I popped up, I jogged off the field, I didn’t hear any pops, I didn’t hear any cracks or anything like that. It’s just football, it happens.’’
DL Timmy Horne was carted off after the first play from scrimmage with an Achilles injury.
CB Mario Goodrich and LB Ovie Oghoufo went out with hamstring injuries.
G Jalen Mayfield (ankle) was carted off in the fourth quarter and CB Darnay Holmes was ruled out with a neck injury.