The Patriots were forced to turn to veteran backup quarterback Brian Hoyer with second-year starter Mac Jones out this week after injuring his ankle in the team’s loss to the Ravens. After suffering an injury in his first start since Week 4 of the 2020 season, though, Hoyer has been ruled out for the remainder of the game with a head injury. 
On just his second series as the starting quarterback, Hoyer took a hard hit on a sack from Packers linebacker Rashan Gary and left the game to be evaluated with a head injury. Hoyer had looked good in his limited time, completing five of his six pass attempts for 37 yards before getting knocked out of the game.
With Jones and Hoyer ruled out, New England was forced to turn to its fourth-round pick from this year’s draft, Bailey Zappe. The rookie out of Western Kentucky is truly the Patriots’ only option as even their emergency quarterback, wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, is out today with a knee injury.
The former Hilltopper faces the daunting task of beating the Packers in his first bit of NFL playing time. So far, Zappe has been up to the task becoming the first quarterback from the 2022 NFL Draft class to throw an NFL touchdown. Both Titans’ rookie quarterback Malik Willis and Steelers’ rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett were allotted playing time before Zappe, but it was Zappe who cashed in with his arm first (Pickett had two rushing touchdowns in today’s loss to the Jets).
Even if Zappe leads the Patriots to an upset victory over the Packers, he likely won’t be asked to man the starting job for long. Despite the apparent severity of Jones’ initial injury, Jones has refused to accept an extended absence, seeking a second opinion on his diagnosis and teasing fans not to count him out for this week’s game before being ruled out. Hoyer’s injury shouldn’t keep him out for very long either, unless it’s an especially severe head injury.
If they are forced to move forward with Zappe, the next few games could be manageable as they don’t face a single team currently over .500 until after their bye week. If Jones and Hoyer are out for multiple weeks, Zappe would be in line to start against the Lions next Sunday and the Browns the following week.
It also would not be a surprise to see New England sign a quarterback to their practice squad this week. The Patriots will need someone to back up Zappe with even Meyers on the injured list.
I am curious to see how well Zappe does.
Do I win a free subscription if I correctly predict that there will be some rumor floated that Colin Kaepernick is being considered as a replacement…lol.
since you started the rumor, no.
Bailey Zappe sounds like girl rushing a sorority at a midwestern university.
Wonder if Zappe wears some nice velour
Might as well keep letting Zappe start while Jones is out.
Another Wally Pip/Lou Gherig situation.
Isiah Wynn / Matt Patricia just got the backup destroyed!
Try out Gilbert, D’Enrique King, or Newton for the backup to the backup to the backup.
Assistant “to” the director?
Zappe played well enough and did the things today to win a ballgame. A true “game manager”. It was the Patriots defense that let them down.
I agree. I was at the game yesterday and thought for his first game as a pro, he did a fine job. Heck, for a while he outplayed Rodgers
Patriots coaches were more to blame than their D, IMHO.
Cam Newton’s phone is ringing.
That’s just tinnitus. You should see a doctor about that.