Patriots head coach Bill Belichick confirms that Jarrett Stidham ‘will miss a little time’ due to injury

One year after dealing with a hip injury early in training camp, Jarrett Stidham is once again in a difficult situation while competing for a spot on the team. As New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick acknowledged on Thursday morning, the third-year quarterback “will miss a little time” due to an apparent injury.

According to a report by Jeff Howe of The Athletic, Stidham has been experiencing pain in both his right throwing shoulder as well as his back. There is a chance the former fourth-round draft pick will have to undergo surgery, but as of right now it is unclear how much time he will miss in either scenario.

Regardless, the Patriots prepared themselves for the absence by claiming Jake Dolegala off waivers on Wednesday. Dolegala, who spent most of last season on the Patriots’ practice squad after starting his career with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2019, was one of four quarterbacks to take the field for New England’s training camp practice on Thursday.

“We thought it’d be good to have another quarterback active and participating in camp,” Belichick said about adding the former rookie free agent to the equation.

The former rookie free agent will give the Patriots more depth at a position that is being led by incumbent starter Cam Newton, first-round rookie Mac Jones, and veteran Brian Hoyer. When Stidham will join the mix is not known at the moment, and he remains on the physically unable to perform list for the time being (PUP).

New England can activate Stidham at any point in time. Alternatively, however, he could be kept onto the list moving into the regular season; his status would then change from “active” to “reserve” and he would miss at least six weeks.

Stidham is entering his third season with the Patriots. He appeared in five games last season as a reserve and completed 22 of 44 pass attempts for 256 yards as well as 2 touchdowns and 3 interceptions.