The Patriots have signed quarterback Tommy DeVito, who was released Tuesday by the Giants. (AP photo)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Tommy DeVito is leaving the bright lights of New York. But he isn’t going very far.

The 27-year-old quarterback, who was tagged with the nickname “Tommy Cutlets” during his time in New York, was claimed by the New England Patriots a day after the Giants waived the fan favorite as teams across the NFL cutdown their initial regular-season rosters.

Meanwhile, the Patriots released veteran wide receiver Kendick Bourne and second year player Javon Baker. Bourne, who had his best season with the team the year he signed, 2021, reportedly asked for his release. Baker was supposedly kept originally because of his speed as a gunner on special teams, but the Patriots claimed former Rams corner Charles Woods off waivers, and he has experience as a gunner/jammer on special teams, and that’s how he made the Rams last year as an undrafted free agent.

Bourne saves the Patriots $6.3 million in salary cap space while creating $1.4 million in dead cap money. Baker’s release is just another knock on the Patriots 2024 draft.

Meanwhile, DeVito becomes the third quarterback in New England, behind starter Drake Maye and backup Josh Dobbs.

It was believed that DeVito would have a chance to return to the Giants’ practice squad if he’d cleared waivers. But the Patriots picked up the former undrafted free agent and northern New Jersey native after he became expendable following New York’s signing of veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston.

“Just strengthening the roster, certainly, at a premium position and continuing to add pieces, whether that’s offensively, defensively or guys that we feel like can help us on special teams,” Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said Wednesday.

Vrabel also acknowledged that having vice president of player personnel Ryan Cowden, who previously was an advisor to the Giants general manager, was beneficial in providing insight into DeVito.

DeVito has started eight games and appeared in 12, completing 65% of his passes for 1,358 yards with eight touchdowns and three interceptions. During exhibition play, DeVito was 30 of 38 for 323 yards with four TDs and one pick. Three of those exhibition TDs came in a 42-10 Giants win over the Patriots.

PRACTICE SQUAD FORMED

In addition, the Patriots announced that they have signed 16 players to the practice squad: CB Miles Battle, G Mehki Butler, G Jack Conley, CB Brandon Crossley, TE C.J. Dippre, RB Terrell Jennings, WR John Jiles, DE Truman Jones, C Alec Lindstrom, DB Kobee Minor, DT David Olajiga, LB Cam Riley, DT Jahvaree Ritzie, TE Gee Scott Jr., LB Bradyn Swinson and WR Jeremiah Webb. All of those players were released by the team yesterday.

(Telegraph Staff Writer Tom King contributed to this report, along with the Patriots Media Relations Dept.)