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Drake Maye injury update, former Illinois football QB Tommy DeVito thrown into action

Tommy DeVito has been a quality NFL quarterback since leaving the Illinois football program, and now the New England Patriots are relying on him overseas.
ByRees Woodcock
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Green Bay Packers v New England Patriots
Green Bay Packers v New England Patriots | Billie Weiss/GettyImages

The early game of the NFL Sunday now features a former Illinois football player flinging the ball around.

Injuries have been a big topic in the NFL this season, and on Sunday in Germany, this continued to be the case.

On the very first drive of the game between the New England Patriots and the Detroit Lions, Aidan Hutichson had a drive-ending sack of Drake Maye. Hutchinson got up and celebrated, and he went down with a knee injury during the celebration. Maye had yet to get up either.

Maye went out of the game after that play, and he has officially been ruled out of the game against the Lions. It is an ankle injury, per reports.

In steps former Illinois football quarterback, Tommy DeVito.

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Let’s just say, Germany has not been nice to DeVito thus far. At halftime, he is 4-of-9 for 16 yards and an interception. That interception came late in the second quarter, too.

DeVito clearly didn’t expect to be thrown into action, especially that early in the contest. His offensive line isn’t doing him any favors. DeVito has been sacked three times for a loss of 27 yards.

I fully expect Tommy DeVito to knock off the rust and be better for the New England Patriots in the second half

This might sound a bit biased coming from an Illinois fan, but DeVito isn’t a bad quarterback. He had a great season at Illinois, and his time in the NFL hasn’t been bad.

DeVito was able to throw the ball well, and I believe he was the best quarterback in the room with the New York Giants. He signed a two-year deal with the Patriots after the 2024 season.

In 2025, thanks to Maye being healthy, DeVito didn’t get any action on the field. He has only played in two games this season, going 4-of-8 for 51 yards.

There is a ton of rust with DeVito. He has thrown eight passes in two seasons before entering the game on Sunday. Look for him to be a much better quarterback and for the Patriots to move the ball against this below-average Detroit defense. Don’t be shocked if this 21-3 deficit gets much closer as the game progresses.

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