The New England Patriots have one of the deepest rosters in the NFL. However, the team has questions at the most important position – at least this week. With Jimmy Garoppolo only two days removed from a game-ending shoulder injury, the team might have to rely on rookie Jacoby Brissett against the Houston Texans. The question is, who else will dress on Thursday?
It seems as if it will be Garoppolo. After all, he participated in today’s walkthrough and the team has not yet signed another passer; despite working out two today (via Adam Schefter):
Patriots worked out QBs TJ Yates and Sean Renfree today but did not make a move with either, per sources.
Yates, who has experience in an offensive system similar to the Patriots’ – Bill O’Brien’s in Houston –, is coming off a season-ending ACL injury. The 29-year old would be an experienced option at the quarterback position as he has appeared in 20 games over the course of his five-year career. Renfree, for comparison, has played only two games since entering the league as an Atlanta Falcons seventh-round draft pick in 2013.
The team not signing either one further shows that it feels confident entering Thursday’s game with the two quarterbacks currently on the 53-man roster. According to Adam Kaufman, the Patriots worked out Yates this morning and kept him around until after assessing Garoppolo during today’s practice session. With New England’s current starter able to participate, even though in a limited capacity, the team apparently felt no need to keep him and Renfree around. At least for now...