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

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Patriots backup quarterback Tommy DeVito tossed a 69-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Williams and New England beat Philadelphia 24-21 in a preseason game Saturday night in which 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.

Eagles third-string quarterback Tanner McKee threw 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.

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

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.

Eagles backup quarterback Andy Dalton went 3 of 10 for 44 yards in three series of work. He connected on passes of 25 and 13 yards to Darius Cooper that led to a 1-yard TD run by Will Shipley.

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

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

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Andy Dalton (14) is pressured by New England Patriots linebacker Gabe Jacus during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Britain Covey (18) scores a touchdown as wide receiver Samori Toure celebrates against the New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams (18) runs for a touchdown as Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jalyx Hunt (58) pursues during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Philadelphia Eagles' Ja'Quinden Jackson is taken off the field on a stretcher after an injury against the New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

New England Patriots quarterback Tommy DeVito (16) throws against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

HOUSTON (AP) — Donovan Walton homered and Tommy White had three hits as the Athletics used a big eighth inning to rally for a 4-3 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night and snap a five-game skid.

The A’s trailed 3-1 and had runners on second and third with one out in the eighth when they scored on a wild pitch by Bennett Sousa (1-2).

Lawrence Butler singled on a grounder to right field to tie it at 3-3. White doubled, and Butler scored on a groundout by Jonah Heim to put the Athletics on top.

Elvis Alvarado pitched the ninth for his third save.

Daulton Varsho's homer off Luis Medina (5-3) put the Astros ahead in the seventh and a two-out RBI single by Jeremy Peña extended the lead to 3-1.

Houston starter Hunter Brown allowed seven hits and a run in 5 2/3 innings.

Jacob Lopez struck out nine, allowing one run on three hits in six innings for the Athletics.

Walton opened the third inning with his shot near the bullpen in right-center to put the Athletics up 1-0.

Houston tied it on an RBI double by Yainer Diaz with two outs in the fourth.

The Athletics had runners on first and second with two outs in the sixth when Houston manager Joe Espada pointed toward right field as he ran out of the dugout. He apparently was not pointing toward the bullpen and wanted a timeout to talk to Brown and leave him in the game.

But the umpires thought otherwise and forced him to pull Brown. Espada talked with the umpires for a bit before play resumed. AJ Blubaugh took over and retired Heim.

Houston RHP Cristian Javier (1-4, 6.44 ERA) opposes LHP Brady Basso (0-0, 3.91) when the series concludes Sunday.

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

Athletics pitcher Jacob Lopez delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Athletics' Donovan Walton runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Home plate umpire Will Little (93) talks with Houston Astros manager Joe Espada (19) over a pitching change dispute during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Athletics' Lawrence Butler runs to first base after hitting an RBI single during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Athletics' Lawrence Butler (4) is congratulated by Max Muncy (3) after scoring during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)