The Giants were back on the practice field Thursday as they continue preparations for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.

Fresh off the bye, the Giants are looking to snap a five-game losing streak this weekend at MetLife Stadium. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers are also looking to get on track after they lost four consecutive games.

In addition to players, Giants coordinators Mike Kafka, Shane Bowen and Michael Ghobrial met with the media for their weekly press conference on Thursday.

Here are five things we learned.

1. Jones addresses the quarterback change

Coming out of the bye, head coach Brian Daboll announced that Tommy DeVito would be the Giants' starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, while Drew Lock will serve as his backup. Quarterback Daniel Jones today addressed the media for the first time since the decision was announced. The veteran began with a prepared statement.

"The opportunity to play for the New York Giants was truly a dream come true and I'm extremely grateful to the Mara and Tisch families for the chance to play here," said Jones. "The Giants are truly a first-class organization, and I have nothing but genuine respect and appreciation for the people who have built it and who helped carry on that tradition. I've met so many special people and created relationships that will truly last a lifetime. Thank you to all my teammates, coaches and staff that have done so much for me these past six years. There have been some great times but, of course, we all wish there had been more of those. I take full responsibility for my part in not bringing more wins. No one wanted to win more games worse than me, and I gave everything I had on the field and in my preparation.

"Of course, this season has been disappointing for all and, of course, I wish I could have done more. I'm 100% accountable for my part. I did not play well enough, consistently enough to help the team get the results. The reality of the NFL is it's hard to win games and it requires consistent performance from everyone involved. We didn't do that well enough. So, the idea to change something happens and I understand. I love the game. I love being part of a team. I'm excited for the next opportunity. I know that there's a lot of good football in front of me and I'm excited about that. To all the fans, I have deep respect and appreciation for your passion and love for the Giants. The fans are a huge part of what makes playing for the Giants so special."

With seven games remaining on the schedule, Jones said he's still processing what will happen next in regards to his future.

"I think I'm still trying process this and what's best for the team, what's best for me and then make a decision on that going forward," Jones said. "I'm confident in my ability, a lot of good football ahead, and I'm excited for that."

2. Nabers discusses chemistry with DeVito

While wide receiver Malik Nabers will be catching passes from Tommy DeVito in a regular-season game for the first time this Sunday against the Buccaneers, the two are far from strangers. Assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Mike Kafka was asked Thursday about the developing connection between the young quarterback and rookie wide receiver, a relationship that has been growing for a while now.

"They've been teammates here this whole season, so it's not like the first time they were talking to each other was yesterday," assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Mike Kafka said. "I think they're good friends. I think they're good buddies. I think as they just continue to talk more on the field, talk about certain routes and the timing of those things, whether they're talking about it or repping it out on a different field, I think all those things will add up and will continue to add up."

Nabers spoke to the media on Thursday, as well, and the rookie wide receiver shared no concerns about establishing chemistry with his new starting quarterback.

"I took a couple of reps with him during camp," the rookie receiver said. "I know he got a steamer for an arm, so I got some catches with him after practice. Relationship with me and DeVito is cool. We talk, play the game, so we got a good relationship."

Nabers added, "I mean at the end of the day, it's still throw the football, catch the ball. So, I get open pretty well, I create a lot of separation. So, I'm sure he's going to be able to see me on different routes. When I get open, he's going to be able to deliver the ball."

3. Giants 'encouraged' about potential Kayvon return

Prior to their Week 11 bye, the Giants led the NFL with their 36 sacks. Heading into this weekend's matchup, the Giants still rank second in sacks, just three behind the Denver Broncos, who have played one more game. The Giants were able to do this despite not having starting outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux for half of the season.

Thibodeaux was designated to return from injured reserve and took the practice field on Wednesday for the first time since Week 5. Daboll told the media Thursday he's "encouraged" by what he's seen out of the third-year linebacker, who has a good chance of returning to game action on Sunday. In Thibodeaux's place, Azeez Ojulari stepped up with five sacks over the last five games. Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen told the media Thursday that he'll be happy to figure out the best way to use Brian Burns, Ojulari and Thibodeaux if the latter is in fact able to play this weekend.

"It's a good problem to have," Bowen told reporters. "Obviously with Azeez coming on and the impact he's been able to have for us, he's earned the opportunity to play. So, it's really good getting Kayvon back out there, seeing him going back through it, kind of see where it progresses with him this week, see where we're at come Sunday. But optimistic with him, and we'll see where it goes. But it's a good problem to have."

4. Baker's 'doing a good job distributing'

Quarterback Baker Mayfield is putting together a breakout campaign in his second season with the Buccaneers. The seventh-year quarterback has completed a career-high 70.6 percent of his passes for 2,505 yards, 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions for a 103.6 passer rating, also the best mark of his NFL career. Mayfield has also contributed on the ground with 36 carries for 192 yards (5.3 avg.) and an additional two touchdowns. The veteran signal-caller has thrown three or more touchdown passes in an impressive five of 10 games this year.

What's even more impressive is that he produced over the Buccaneers' last three games prior to the bye despite not having Chris Godwin or Mike Evans out there with him. While Godwin is out for the season, Evans appears to be on track to suit up Sunday, thus giving Mayfield his top target in the passing game.

"He's having a really good year," Bowen said about Mayfield. "Again, the ability to create is always there with him, to extend plays, to scramble, he's going to take the open lanes. If those are there, he's doing a good job distributing, getting the ball in guys' hands. They've done a really good job after the catch. I think their perimeter players, running backs, they've all done a really good job after the catch.

"He's going to take his shots; he's going to find ways to get it to Evans down the field. We understand that. But I think he's comfortable in the system and it shows. Knowing where to go with the ball, he's including everybody. So, it's going to be a big challenge for us. He's playing at a really high level right now. I think he's top five in just about every category quarterback-wise. He's got a lot of weapons. I think the two backs, how they utilize them, not only in the run game but also in the passing game with the screens and some of that stuff, they've got a lot of ways they can attack you."

5. Injury updates

The Giants head into this Week 12 matchup in relative good health. Every player on the active roster was able to participate in Thursday's practice in some capacity for the second consecutive day.

Kayvon Thibodeaux (wrist) was upgraded to a full participant on Thursday, which puts him in a good position to be ready to go for Sunday's game.

The outside linebacker wasn't the only player to improve from a limited to full participant. Joining Thibodeaux was inside linebacker Matt Adams (knee), tight end Theo Johnson (back), and guard Greg Van Roten (abdomen).

Several players remained limited on Thursday, including wide receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton (Achilles), defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence (knee), inside linebacker Darius Muasau (hamstring), and safety Tyler Nubin (back).

For the Buccaneers, cornerback Zyon McCollum (hamstring) and defensive back Tykee Smith (knee) were the two players that sat out Thursday's practice.

Wide receiver Mike Evans, who has been sidelined since Week 7 due to a hamstring injury, was upgraded from a limited participant Wednesday to full on Thursday, putting him in line to play this weekend. Cornerback Jamel Dean, who's been on injured reserve for the last four games, practiced in full for the second consecutive day, which also puts him on track to be activated for Sunday's matchup.