The New England Patriots are still hoping Jimmy Garoppolo can play Thursday after he suffered an AC joint sprain on Sunday.
Initial reports suggested Garoppolo would be out for up to six weeks with this injury. Then overnight, that verdict changed, with many reporters saying he could return by Week 4.
Now Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that timeline could be moved up even more, with Garoppolo potentially playing on short rest for Thursday night’s matchup against the Houston Texans.
Still a longshot, but Patriots have not given up hope yet that Jimmy Garoppolo can play Thursday, per team source. https://t.co/eOveFwaxAu
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 19, 2016
This might not be the best week to rush an injured quarterback into action.
Just ask Alex Smith how he’s feeling today after getting bludgeoned on a regular basis Sunday in Texas.
But the truth is, New England needs Garoppolo to play if it has a realistic chance to win Thursday. Backup Jacoby Brissett did fine in mop-up duty Sunday, but he’s not ready for a baptism by fire against the Texans.