It’s the worst-case scenario for Bill Belichick and the Patriots, as Jimmy Garoppolo was forced out of action during Sunday’s contest against the Dolphins. Garoppolo took a hard hit to the upper body, and went to the locker room for additional examination. At halftime he was ruled out for the second half, leaving the Patriots with just one active quarterback on their roster. Until further notice, the man running the Patriots offense is rookie Jacoby Brissett.
Brisett started his collegiate career at Florida in 2011, but transferred to North Carolina State in 2013. He immediately became the Wolfpack’s starter, and compiled over 5,000 yards and 43 touchdown passes in two seasons.
Now Brissett could be running Bill Belichick’s offense for two more games, including a home game four days away against J.J. Watt and the Texans. If there was a prevailing theory that Bill Belichick can make any quarterback look good, it will now be put to the test.
In Brissett’s NFL.com draft profile, he is labeled as a “big quarterback with an NFL arm.” But Belichick’s offense doesn’t need that big arm, only accuracy in the short passing game.
With only two weeks until Tom Brady’s return, expect plenty of action for LeGarrette Blount. Brissett is now the only available quarterback on the Patriots roster, so expect a conservative gameplan and not much fantasy-wise from the third-stringer.
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