Tommy DeVito throws TD pass, Ja’Quinden Jackson taken off in ambulance as Patriots beat Eagles 24-21

Audio By Carbonatix

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The Patriots are set at quarterback with Drake Maye. So are the Eagles with Jalen Hurts. But the players vying to back them up made strong statements in Saturday's preseason game.

Patriots backup Tommy DeVito tossed a 69-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Williams and New England beat Philadelphia 24-21 on Saturday night in a game that began with a scare when Eagles running back Ja’Quinden Jackson was taken off the field in an ambulance.

Jackson was injured on the opening kickoff after tackling New England’s Lan Larison. The Eagles announced that Jackson had strength and movement in his extremities and had been taken to a hospital for further evaluation. Third-string quarterback Tanner McKee said players were told Jackson was OK.

Projected starters for both teams sat out after participating in two days of joint practices earlier in the week.

DeVito has started each of the last two weeks.

“For sure, I feel comfortable,” he said. “Just being able to get comfortable with the guys and everybody around me, and just keep putting our best foot forward.”

Meanwhile, McKee put some heat on veteran Andy Dalton in the competition to be Hurts' backup, throwing two touchdown passes, including a go-ahead 20-yard toss to Carson Steele with 3:39 to play. Patriots third-stringer Behren Morton responded by leading a 73-yard drive, capped by a 37-yard TD pass to Nick DeGennaro.

DeVito played the first half, going 8 of 15 for 151 yards while also running for 44 yards. Larison had a 2-yard TD run.

McKee also threw a 14-yard TD pass to Britain Covey.

Dalton, who was acquired from Carolina in March, said he isn't going into the final week of the preseason thinking anything is guaranteed.

“I don’t know. Have to see how it all goes,” Dalton said. “Every day is a new day, and so we’ll see how it all ends up.”

As expected, Patriots star cornerback Christian Gonzalez was not in uniform as he recovers from a minor injury amid ongoing contract negotiations.

Patriots: OL Marcus Bryant left with an ankle injury on the game’s fifth snap and did not return. ... LB Khalil Jacobs was slow to his feet after making a tackle following Williams’ touchdown. He briefly went to the medical tent before returning to the sideline. ... LB Chad Muma limped off in the final minute.

Steele sent his sideline into a frenzy late in the second quarter when he took a short pass from McKee and turned it into a 14-yard gain that included him hurdling Brandon Crossley to get the ball inside the New England 15. McKee connected on his TD to Covey two plays later.

DeVito showed off his running skills in the second quarter, breaking free for a 36-yard scramble to get the Patriots into Eagles territory for the first time.

The play helped set up a 41-yard field goal by Andy Borregales.

Patriots rookie edge rusher Gabe Jacas was called for roughing the passer after knocking down Dalton in the second quarter, negating an interception by cornerback Kindle Vildor.

It was the latest example of growing pains for Jacas, who on July 25 became the last second-round draft pick to sign his rookie deal. It was delayed after he had surgery on his left knee this summer, and an injury waiver was put into his contract.

Jacas attended rookie minicamp following the draft in May but didn’t participate. He also sat out the team’s mandatory minicamp that month.

Morton, the Patriots' seventh-round draft pick, made a surprise appearance on special teams, punting three times after Bryce Barringer handled the first two punts. Morton's boots averaged 44.3 yards and included a touchback.

Morton continued to handle punting duties even after he took over at quarterback in the third quarter.

Eagles: Host Cincinnati on Friday in their final preseason game.

Patriots: Visit Cleveland on Thursday to conclude their preseason.

___

See AP’s full NFL coverage here