Belichick: Patriots could determine starting QB as early as this afternoon

Garoppollo, who’s been lights out in two games, has since been diagnosed with a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder. Once Brady comes back, the Patriots can then move him to the No. 2 spot or the No. 3, depending on Garoppolo’s recovery.

Apparently, sources, undoubtedly from the Patriots, were speaking with talk radio hosts Felger & Mazz, saying that QB Tom Brady has played through these same types of injuries at least four times before, and sources have relayed the same story to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald. The Patriots will start third-round rookie Jacoby Brissett and use former college quarterback Julian Edelman as the primary backup.

Brissett worked alongside Brady and Garoppolo throughout training camp and played in preseason games before getting on the field in an emergency situation against the Dolphins. Garoppolo was not present when reporters were present at Tuesday’s practice. O’Brien was there when they initially drafted Edelman.

“Each week it seems like there is always some position that you have to take into consideration what your depth is there”, Belichick said. “They work super hard every single week and it’s tough not to be out there with them, but I’m doing everything I can to be out there as soon as possible”.

The Patriots haven’t had to rely on many of them over the years; other than Garoppolo and Matt Cassel, they’ve all been used pretty much in mop-up duty.

1. Return of Vintage Watt After a first week of the season where he was clearly shaking off rust, and a second week of the season where he took a big leap forward, what should we expect out of J.J. Watt on Thursday night?

This Texans defense, with its key components healthy, is playing well. The 21st overall pick in this year’s draft needs one more 100-yard receiving game to become the first player to start his career with three straight such games.

It is going to be very interesting to see how the Patriots handle all that’s going on within the team at the moment, as they may have to go through more hurdles in the coming weeks with the lack of their star players.

Trend: The Patriots are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 games as home underdogs. A win isn’t totally out of the question.

“I do what’s best for the football team”.