Report: Jacoby Brissett Could Undergo Thumb Surgery Once Tom Brady Returns

Sunday’s game could be the last we see of Jacoby Brissett for quite some time.

The New England Patriots rookie quarterback might undergo surgery on his injured right thumb once Tom Brady returns this week from his four-game Deflategate suspension, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday.

The injury will not prevent Brissett from playing Sunday, however. He will start under center against the Buffalo Bills while Jimmy Garoppolo misses his second consecutive game with a shoulder injury.

Garoppolo started the first two games of the season, leading the Patriots to wins over the Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins. Brissett took over during the second quarter of the Dolphins game and started in Week 3, piloting New England to a 27-0 blowout of the Houston Texans in his first NFL start.

If Garoppolo is healthy enough to serve as Brady’s backup once the star quarterback returns to action in Week 5, the Patriots could benefit from placing Brissett on injured reserve. Doing so would open a roster spot for Brady, meaning the team would not need to release a player from its 53-man roster.

New England will, however, need to cut a player to make room for defensive end Rob Ninkovich, who is set to return from his own four-game suspension in Week 5.

Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images