UPDATE (Noon ET): Jimmy Garoppolo is NOT expected to be active, a source told ESPN’s Mike Reiss on Thursday morning. This runs in contrast to NFL Media’s report.
ORIGINAL STORY: As expected, it’s reportedly going to be the Jacoby Brissett show Thursday night at Gillette Stadium as the New England Patriots take on the Houston Texans.
Brissett, a rookie, will be the Patriots’ starting quarterback Thursday night, a source told NFL Media’s Courtney Fallon. Garoppolo, despite a Grade 2 AC joint sprain, will dress as Brissett’s backup, per Fallon.
That Garoppolo will be active is a slight surprise since he was listed as doubtful on the Patriots’ final injury report of the week Wednesday.
The team doesn’t intend to dial down the offense for Brissett, according to Fallon, who also notes “the Patriots have all the confidence in Brissett’s skill set and feel he is prepared on a short week.”
Garoppolo injured his shoulder during the Patriots’ Week 2 win over the Miami Dolphins. Brissett went 6-of-9 passing for 92 yards in two and a half quarters while relieving Garoppolo.
Brissett impressed in preseason action with the Patriots after being selected in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images
