New England Patriots

Patriots reportedly hope QB Jimmy Garoppolo will be back for Week 4

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:12 p.m. ET

Pete Blackburn

The New England Patriots likely will be without interim starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo when they take on the Texans this Thursday, as the 24-year-old suffered a sprained AC joint during Sunday's contest against the Dolphins in Foxboro. That's not totally terrible news for New England, though, as there's still hope Garoppolo can return the following week.

#Patriots QB Jimmy Garoppolo (sprained AC joint) won’t start Thursday vs. #Texans. But there is hope he’s back by Week 4. Huge break for NE
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 19, 2016

Garoppolo injured his shoulder on a first-half hit from Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso on Sunday. The quarterback was in a visible amount of pain after his throwing shoulder was planted into the Gillette Stadium turf and he was taken to the locker room (and, later, the hospital) for evaluation.

The injury is somewhat deflating for the Patriots' quarterback, as he played very well through his first one and a half career starts as Tom Brady serves his four-game suspension. Before leaving Sunday's game, Garoppolo went 18-of-27 for 234 yards and three touchdowns as the Patriots dominated Miami.

Now, Bill Belichick and Co. will have to weather the storm without their top two quarterbacks on the depth chart, at least for the next week.