With quarterback Tom Brady and edge defender Rob Ninkovich returning from their respective four-game suspensions this week, the New England Patriots needed two spots on their active roster. The first was created on Monday, when the team released tight end Clay Harbor.
The second, according to Adam Schefter, has been created today:
As @FieldYates said was a possibility earlier today, the Patriots are placing QB Jacoby Brissett on injured reserve, per @AdamSchefter.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) October 7, 2016
The rookie quarterback suffered the injury in week 3 against the Houston Texans and there were immediate concerns that he would need surgery. However, the Patriots opted to keep Brissett on the active roster and he fought through the injury to start in week 4 against the Buffalo Bills. Today, according to the Boston Globe, the rookie finally had surgery on his injured thumb.
While Brissett was underwhelming, he clearly has an excuse. Hopefully the surgery went well and he will have a full recovery. He can be reactivated later this season if necessary as the Patriots have no real other players worthy of the “designated to return” label on the injured reserve.
Look for another roster move as the Patriots head into week 5 with just two healthy defensive tackles in Malcom Brown and Alan Branch. Vincent Valentine has not practiced this week. Rookie offensive guard Ted Karras is name to watch if the Patriots don’t sign a player, as are practice squad defensive tackles Anthony Johnson and Woodrow Hamilton.