The New England Patriots don’t have a single healthy quarterback on their active roster as of Sunday, but they’re apparently still feeling good about their QB situation entering Week 4.
The Patriots are “hopeful and confident” that they’ll have “at least one, possibly two” quarterbacks available for next Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills, team sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. That means incumbent starter Jimmy Garoppolo and rookie backup Jacoby Brissett, both of whom have seen time while Tom Brady serves his four-game suspension for Deflategate.
Garoppolo suffered a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder in Week 3, but New England feels he is “definitely is making progress” in his recovery, the source told Schefter. There were reports early last week that the 24-year-old might try to play on a short week against the Houston Texans, and with extra time to prepare for the Bills, it appears his prognosis is looking better for Week 4.
Brissett also was injured in the Patriots’ game against the Miami Dolphins, reportedly tearing a ligament in his throwing thumb. But the 23-year-old North Carolina State product managed to play the whole contest, making New England believe there’s a “realistic chance” Brissett plays next Sunday.
The status of both players obviously will be monitored throughout the week, but here’s where things stand now, per Schefter:
“As one Patriots source described it, there’s a decent chance they’ll have at least one of those quarterbacks available next Sunday, a chance that both will be ready next Sunday, and a much lesser chance that neither quarterback will be ready for next Sunday.”
If it’s the third scenario, Schefter noted that quarterback T.J. Yates would be an “ideal candidate” for the Patriots to sign in free agency.
Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images
