Rookie quarterback Jacoby Brissett is expected to start for the New England Patriots when they host the Buffalo Bills Sunday afternoon, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Jacoby Brissett will start at QB for the Patriots against Buffalo
Brissett will be under center for the second straight week in relief of the injured Jimmy Garoppolo.
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Brissett guided New England to a dominant 27-0 win over Houston on Thursday Night Football in Week 3. The first-year passer threw for a modest 103 yards but added 48 more and a touchdown as a runner. He’ll start his second straight game despite an injury to the thumb on his throwing hand.
The Patriots QB returned to the field on Tuesday, alongside teammate Jimmy Garoppolo, to determine his effectiveness despite the injury. WEEI’s Kirk Minihane and WBZ’s Levan Reid reported earlier this weekend that Garoppolo would start Sunday, but the right shoulder injury he suffered in Week 2 will still preclude him from playing. With Garoppolo inactive, wide receiver Julian Edelman is once again slated to be the backup quarterback. He was a three-year starter at Kent State, primarily running a wildcat-like offense.
Garoppolo, who was selected in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft, became the Patriots’ starter after Tom Brady accepted the four-game suspension handed down from the league for his role in the Deflategate scandal. He led New England to an upset 23-21 win over Arizona in the team’s season opener before carving up Miami to the tune of 232 yards and three touchdowns in less than two quarters of play in a 34-27 week two win.
However, the third-year QB left that game after suffering a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder. The injury turned the reins over to Brissett, who kept the Patriot offense moving en route to a 3-0 start.
New England will need Brissett to stay strong against a division rival coming off a big win of its own. Buffalo will roll into Gillette Stadium with confidence after upsetting Arizona in week three. With head coach Rex Ryan’s job security in doubt, the Bills may need a road victory to keep what remains of their coaching staff intact.
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