OCTOBER 9: As expected, Zappe will get his first career start on Sunday, as Jeff Howe of The Athletic tweets. Jones is still targeting a Week 6 return.
OCTOBER 6: The Patriots should not be expected to have their starting quarterback in uniform this week. Although Mac Jones managed a limited practice Wednesday, the second-year passer returning in Week 6 also appears far from a lock.
Jones’ injured ankle remains unstable, with NFL.com’s Mike Giardi noting the New England starter is still limping. While Giardi adds Jones is moving around better than he did to end the Pats’ practice sessions last week, ProFootballNetwork.com’s Aaron Wilson notes Jones is not believed to be particularly close to returning.
This is not exactly surprising news; Jones is believed to have sustained a “pretty severe” high ankle sprain. Nevertheless, the former first-round pick is making his case to the Pats’ staff to return in Week 5 against the Lions, Wilson adds, but Week 6 — against the Browns — is viewed as the likelier return window.
As for Sunday, the Pats are likely to go with Bailey Zappe. Brian Hoyer is not expected to be cleared from concussion protocol in time for New England’s Week 5 contest, Wilson adds, clearing the way for the team’s third-stringer to make his first start. Zappe, whom the Pats chose 137th overall, completed 10 of 15 passes for 99 yards and a touchdown in the Pats’ overtime loss to the Packers. Zappe transformed his stock last year by breaking Joe Burrow‘s Division I-FBS record with a 62-touchdown pass season in his lone Western Kentucky campaign. Playing in a pass-crazed system, Zappe’s 5,967 passing yards topped the FBS field by over 1,000.
The Patriots signed Garrett Gilbert to their practice squad this week. Signs now point to the Pats sporting a Zappe-Gilbert depth chart against the Lions. Gilbert is the only quarterback on New England’s P-squad.
Always wild when a team elevates their 3rd and 4th string QB’s
As the league progresses to an 18 game schedule we can probably expect to see more of that.
The union should have negotiated a big roster (and salary cap expansion) for giving in on 17 games,
I think those things are inevitable as the NFL can’t resist bloating itself.
as much as I find Tom Brady annoyingly overrated and un-athletic player who folds when his offensive line isn’t perfect..
it would be cool to see him return for a final year in New England
(1) Not unless he really, really needs the money to maintain his post-divorce lifestyle.
(2) Brady is “un-athletic” because he tore up his knee in 2008.
Will never happen. Pats line is worse than when he was here the first time and their receivers still aren’t great.
Holy, that ship has sailed.
Goku
I still fail to see how Gilbert didn’t land somewhere already as at least a #3 QB.
Put him on IR and get someone else on the roster.
Bailey Zappe is about to have his career NFL game against a defense that has found a way to be worse than current play caller was doing defensive things in Detroit. The only thing that can derail Zappe is Matt Patricia.
Don’t forget Clown Show Joe Judge. He’s an offensive assistant and QB coach. He will deserve some blame, too.
Bill’s ‘magic’ seems to have worn off w/o Tom QB’ing.
It’s more than just losing a future HOFer. Bill was a victim of his own success as other teams systematically poached executives and coaches that supported him. He’s managed to bring a couple back into the fold but he’s definitely playing catch up now.
His former coaches & FO staff have done very little outside of NE. Vrabel would be the best, but he played for Bill. OC mastermind Josh McD is losing again in his 2nd stint as HC.
I don’t think it’s that relevant how they did after leaving NE. Bill was put in the position where he had to move from his comfort zone and find replacements he could work with equally as well. There have been a lot of speed bumps to negotiate as a result of all those changes.
If the mastermind in NE becomes a failure on their own, they’re less a mastermind than a lackey. Bill O’Brien had the most success post NE. The rest have been embarrassments with Josh McDaniel being a 3 time embarrassment when including his Bellichick inspired false start with the Colts.
Perhaps Bill is just too worn out to put in the effort? 47+ years of pro football, a younger side piece, and outside interests will do that to you…
I’ve seen Zappe play, he’s for real. He handles the rush better than Mac. His only INT was Agholor’s fault. Hope is restored. Zappe might have saved Belichick.
Yes and no. Zappe first career start goes against the Lions. Might need to slow down on zappe possibly saving bill