FOXBORO, Mass. — It’s official: Jimmy Garoppolo will not be on the field Thursday night as his New England Patriots take on the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium.
Garoppolo, linebacker Dont’a Hightower, guard Jonathan Cooper, cornerback Eric Rowe, running back D.J. Foster, tackle LaAdrian Waddle and tight end A.J. Derby all were listed as inactive for the Patriots’ matchup with the Texans.
Garoppolo’s absence means rookie quarterback Jacoby Brissett will make his first NFL start for the Patriots. Wide receiver Julian Edelman, who has thrown one NFL pass but played quarterback in college, likely will serve as his backup.
Tight end Rob Gronkowski was not among the inactives, putting him in line to make his season debut against Houston after sitting out New England’s first two regular-season games.
Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images
