FOXBORO, Mass. — Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo met the media Wednesday for the first time in two weeks, fielding questions about the shoulder injury that kept him out of last Thursday’s win over the Houston Texans.
“I thought the wind had gotten knocked out of me at first,” Garoppolo said of the injury, which he suffered during the New England Patriots’ Week 2 win over the Miami Dolphins. “It escalated from there, I guess.”
Garoppolo went on to confirm his injury was an AC sprain. He also said he did not feel pressured by the team to play against Houston, as was reported last week.
“It was different, that’s for sure,” Garoppolo said. “I’ve never really been in that situation. Not the funnest thing. But it is what it is, I guess.”
Asked whether he’ll be active for Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills, Garoppolo said, “We’ll see on Sunday.”
“It’s coming along,” he added. “Day-by-day right now, trying to get to the best of my ability on Sunday. Just trying to get better every day. That’s all that you can ask for with this.”
Sunday’s game is the Patriots’ last before Tom Brady returns from his four-game Deflategate suspension. The plan, as head coach Bill Belichick laid out before the season, is for Brady to resume starting duties in Week 5 and for Garoppolo to slide back into a reserve role.
“You always want to be out there,” Garoppolo said when asked if Brady’s impending return gives him more motivation to play against Buffalo. “That’s part of football. Part of being a competitor. You want to be the guy out there and be the guy running the show.”
Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett, who finished New England’s game against Miami and started against Houston, both practiced Wednesday.
Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images
