Jacoby Brissett Injury: Updates on Patriots QB's Recovery from Thumb Surgery

Mike ChiariOct 7, 2016

After suffering a thumb injury in Week 3 against the Houston Texans, New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett reportedly underwent surgery to correct the issue Friday. He has been placed on injured reserve and it is unclear if he will return this season.

Continue for updates.

Brissett Placed on IR

Friday, Oct. 7

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Brissett has been placed on injured reserve, but he could potentially return later in the season, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com.

Latest on Brissett's Practice Status

Friday, Oct. 7

According to Jim McBride of the Boston Globe, Brissett was absent from practice Friday, and a league source indicated he was in surgery after playing through the ailment against the Buffalo Bills in Week 4.

Per Nora Princiotti of the Boston Globe, Brissett was limited in practice Thursday. The same was true of Jimmy Garoppolo, who was inactive for each of the past two games due to a shoulder injury after starting the first two games of the season for the Pats.

Brady's Return Makes Brissett's Injury Less Detrimental to Patriots

With Tom Brady returning from his four-game Deflategate suspension, Brissett was set to be relegated to a backup role.

While the immediate statuses of Brissett and Garoppolo are unclear, Brissett is the team's third-string quarterback when both Brady and Garoppolo are active and healthy.

Brady's suspension and Garoppolo's injury had thrust Brissett into action, and the rookie third-round pick went 1-1 in a pair of starts, throwing for 400 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions while rushing for 83 yards and a score.

Brissett struggled last week in a shutout loss to the Bills at home, as he threw for 205 yards and didn't move the offense with much consistency.

The Patriots had drafted the 23-year-old former North Carolina State standout as a developmental project, but depth issues at quarterback moved up his timeline significantly.

Now that Brady is back and Garoppolo is progressing, however, Brissett can move into a more comfortable third-string role.

Losing Brissett could hurt if injuries strike again at quarterback, but assuming Brady can remain healthy, the Pats shouldn't miss a beat without the rookie.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter.