Jimmy Garoppolo's sensational start as New England's starting quarterback has hit a setback.
The third-year player was knocked out of Sunday's 31-24 victory over the Miami Dolphins midway through the second quarter with a shoulder injury.
NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported after the game that Garoppolo suffered a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder, according to someone informed of the results of exams performed at the hospital today. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport said Monday Garoppolo will not start Thursday against the Texans. Rapoport adds the Patriots hope the signal-caller will return by Week 4.
Rookie third-round pick Jacoby Brissett finished the game for the Patriots, while wide receiver Julian Edelman was the emergency quarterback.
Garoppolo was planted into the Gillette Stadium turf by Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso and went to the locker room shortly thereafter. Garoppolo grimaced in pain after Alonso landed with all his weight on Garoppolo's shoulder.
The injury took the air out of a terrific first-half performance. Garoppolo completed 18 of 27 passes for 234 yards and three scores in 25 minutes of game action. Despite having no Rob Gronkowski at his disposal, Garoppolo had the Patriots' offense humming like it was 2007 and Tom Brady was running the show. He has specialized on third-and-long plays, going through his reads and displaying great pocket movement.
The injury came on one of those third-down conversions. Garoppolo held the ball for a long time and evaded pass rushers, eventually finding Malcolm Mitchell for a first down before taking a bit hit. The Patriots barely held on to the victory in the second half after going to a conservative offense.
