The New England Patriots have placed Brian Hoyer on injured reserve after the veteran quarterback suffered a concussion in Sunday’s overtime loss to the Green Bay Packers, according to multiple reports. Hoyer will now be sidelined for at least the next four games, which would mean the earliest he could return is in Week 9 when New England hosts the Indianapolis Colts, which is one game before their bye. of week 10.
With Mac Jones sidelined for Week 4 with a sprained ankle, Hoyer got the start for the Patriots in Week 4. He completed five of six passes for 37 yards and led the attack on a basket before falling with a concussion. in the first half. That propelled rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe into the game where he went 10 of 15 for 99 yards and a touchdown.
This move for Hoyer could mean Zappe will see his first NFL start on Sunday when the Patriots take on the Lions at Gillette Stadium. Jones was a limited participant in training on Wednesday and Thursday and is would have pushing to play this weekend. However, it also wouldn’t be surprising to see the Patriots proceed with caution with their former first-round pick.
New England are 1-3 to start the season and currently sit in last place in the AFC East, which is the first time this has happened beyond Week 1 since the 2014 season. only other time this happened under Bill Belichick came in 2000.
The Patriots are hitting a low point in their schedule that might have put them back in the playoff draw, but these latest injuries in the quarters room make sledding that much tougher.
