Jimmy Garoppolo Injury: Updates on Patriots QB's Shoulder and Return

New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was taken to the hospital after he suffered a shoulder injury in Week 2 against the Miami Dolphins following a hit by Kiko Alonso. He had not played since, but he is ready to return.

Continue for updates.

---

Garoppolo Active vs. Browns

Sunday, Oct. 9

The Patriots announced Garoppolo is available to play against Cleveland.

---

Latest on Garoppolo's Practice Status

Friday, Oct. 7

The Patriots announced Garoppolo was limited at Friday's practice.

---

Garoppolo Spotted Without Sling

Tuesday, Sept. 27

Mike Reiss of ESPN.com passed along word from the Patriots locker room, noting Garoppolo wasn't wearing a sling for his shoulder.

---

Latest on Garoppolo's Injury Details, Timeline for Return

Sunday, Sept. 18

Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald reported on Sept. 18 that Garoppolo was diagnosed with a sprained AC joint. Howe added the injury can sometimes take only one to two weeks to heal.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that "there is hope he's back by Week 4" against the Buffalo Bills.

However, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reported the Patriots had not given up hope that Garoppolo could play in Week 3. On Sept. 20, ESPN.com's Ed Werder reported that the Patriots still believed Garoppolo could tolerate the pain and start against the Houston Texans.

Michael Giardi of CSNNE.com previously reported that a source close to Garoppolo "said [Sunday night] that a three- to four-week timetable" would be "reasonable and fair."

Tom E. Curran of CSNNE.com noted it would be a pain-tolerance issue, adding that it depends on "how inflamed the area is." A source close to Garoppolo told Michael Giardi of CSNNE.com that he's never seen the quarterback in that amount of pain before.

Kevin Duffy of MassLive previously reported the X-rays on Garoppolo's shoulder came back negative, noting the quarterback would undergo further evaluation.

---

Garoppolo's Injury Had Pats Razor-Thin Depth at QB

Garoppolo was penciled in as the Patriots starter after Tom Brady dropped his appeal of the NFL's four-game Deflategate suspension. The move marked the first time the 24-year-old saw significant action under center during the regular season.

Despite the lack of game action, in January, head coach Bill Belichick expressed confidence in the third-year signal-caller's capabilities following a strong second season, per WEEI's Ryan Hannable:

"

I think he's shown a lot of development—better understanding, quicker recognition and reading of the defenses, more awareness of what's happening on the defensive side of the ball, better communication, better understanding of the offense, better understanding of the defense—really everything. I think we see it on a daily basis from Jimmy. He's a hard working kid who's always prepared.

"

Sunday's game against the Browns marks the return of Brady from suspension.