FOXBORO, Mass. — The New England Patriots could be forced to trot out yet another starting quarterback next Sunday after Jacoby Brissett reportedly sustained an injury during Thursday’s blowout win over the Houston Texans.
Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola denied having heard about Brissett’s reported ailment, but he said he’s confident the team can withstand any challenge thrown its way.
“No idea what you’re talking about,” Amendola said one day after the Patriots routed the Texans 27-0 at Gillette Stadium. “But everybody’s got a job to do. That’s all I can say.”
He added: “I guess we’re just focused on the next week. Injuries are part of the game, whatever they are. It’s a rough game.”
Brissett started Thursday night, four days after quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo went down with a shoulder injury during New England’s Week 2 win over the Miami Dolphins. Brissett played the entire game against the Texans but injured his right thumb during the third quarter, according to multiple reports, putting his status for future games into question.
Mike Petraglia of WEEI.com, citing a source, initially reported the injury as a torn ligament that likely will require surgery, but later reports indicated it might not be quite that severe.
“There’s adversity wherever you look, whether it’s within a game or a week or a season or whatever it is,” Amendola said. “There’s bumps in the road, regardless of whether it’s injuries or missing guys or whatever it is. You’ve got to deal with it, you’ve got to play with the guys that are ready to play, and that’s the name of the game.”
Despite injuries to Garoppolo, Brissett, offensive tackle Nate Solder, tight end Rob Gronkowski and linebacker Dont’a Hightower — just to name a few — the Patriots have yet to lose this season and will carry a 3-0 record into next Sunday’s matchup with the Buffalo Bills.
“The coaches that have been here for a long time, they’ve instilled a tradition here,” Amendola said. “And we have a lot of good football players on this team. What makes us good is our will to come to work every day and prepare our butts off and try to be the best that we can regardless of what the job is.”
Brissett completed 11 of 19 passes for 103 yards against the Texans while also rushing eight times for 48 yards and one touchdown.
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images
