NFL notebook: Garoppolo, Brissett both at Patriots practice

Herald wire services

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett were both in uniform as the Patriots went back to the practice field on Tuesday.

Which one of them will be at quarterback when New England hosts Buffalo on Sunday remains a mystery at this point.

Garoppolo missed last week’s game against Houston with a throwing shoulder injury that occurred during the second quarter of the New England’s win over the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 18.

In his absence last week, Brissett, a third-round pick in this year’s draft, successfully led New England (3-0) past the Houston Texans in his first career start, but sustained an apparent right thumb injury sometime during the second half.

It’s all added more intrigue as the Patriots prepare for their final game before the return of Tom Brady from his four-game “Deflategate” suspension.

Neither Garoppolo nor Brissett were available for interviews Tuesday, but Brissett did briefly acknowledge the high interest surrounding his health as reporters gazed at him while he walked through the locker room prior to practice.

“I’ve never seen so many people looking at my hand,” Brissett said with a chuckle on his way to his locker.

Brissett didn’t have any coverings on his thumb at the time, and could be seen both texting with the thumb and using it to lace up his cleats. But later at practice he did have tape on his thumb and wrist as he stretched.

Garoppolo didn’t have any visible braces or bandages on his shoulder in the locker room or once he was on the field.

Coach Bill Belichick deflected questions on the status of his quarterbacks earlier this week, deferring to the NFL-mandated injury report which will be available for the first time this week on Wednesday.

Receiver Danny Amendola, who had the first two-touchdown game of his career against the Dolphins courtesy of throws from Garoppolo, said he was just as clueless about the plan at quarterback as everyone else.

“I don’t know — ask coach,” Amendola said. “That will be up to him.”

Broncos, Patriots top AP poll

NEW YORK — The Denver Broncos are off to a perfect start under quarterback Trevor Siemian. The New England Patriots also are 3-0 despite playing without superstar Tom Brady.

The past two Super Bowl winners also share the top spot in the latest AP Pro32 poll released on Tuesday.

The Patriots received six first-place votes and the Broncos earned five and both have 377 points from balloting by media members who regularly cover the NFL.

It’s the second consecutive week for a tie at the top spot in the poll. Last week the Patriots and Steelers were tied at No. 1.

The Patriots will play their last game without the suspended Brady when they host the Bills on Sunday.

“The genius of Bill Belichick has the Patriots in early control of the AFC East. As per usual,” Newsday’s Bob Glauber said.

“One more week to go before Tom Brady returns, presumably picks up where he left off and keeps the Jets, Bills and Dolphins spinning their wheels in hopeless pursuit of the perennial AFC East champs and Super Bowl contenders.”

The defending champion Broncos will try to stay unbeaten when they head to Tampa Bay.

The Vikings, who are 3-0 despite injuries to Teddy Bridgewater and Adrian Peterson, received the other first-place vote and are No. 3 in the poll.

“Getting off to a 3-0 start despite losing their franchise QB, once-in-a-generation RB and starting LT in the span of a few weeks is Patriots-esque,” said Jenny Vrentas of The Monday Morning Quarterback.

“Credit to head coach Mike Zimmer.”

The Eagles, led by rookie quarterback Carson Wentz, are also 3-0 and in first place in the NFC East. Philly jumped 11 spots to No. 4 in the poll after routing the Steelers 34-3 on Sunday.

“More popular than Philly cheesesteaks, rookie QB Carson Wentz has already won over a demanding fan base,” said Ira Kaufman of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Packers jumped four spots to round out the top five.

Seattle also made a big leap, moving six spots to No. 6.

AFC North rivals Baltimore and Pittsburgh are tied for No. 7. The Chiefs are No. 9 after forcing eight turnovers in a rout of the Jets.

“What a performance by the Chiefs defense, which is still missing Justin Houston but has the league’s next great young cornerback, Marcus Peters,” Vrentas said.

And the Panthers, despite being 1-2 on the season, round out the top 10.

“Cam Newton is getting pummeled in the early going, as the Panthers continue the trend of Super Bowl losers who struggle the year after,” Glauber said.

“Eight sacks, three interceptions and a sore ankle for Newton in a lopsided home loss to the resurgent Vikings.”

After consecutive losses in prime time, the Bears replaced the Browns at the bottom of the poll at No. 32.

“After three demoralizing weeks, Soldier Field is an afterthought compared to Wrigley Field,” Kaufman said.

Kaepernick critical of Clinton, Trump

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who has become a key figure in a growing protest against racial inequality, had a harsh assessment of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump a day after the first presidential debate.

“To me, it was embarrassing to watch that these are our two candidates,” Kaepernick said Tuesday. “Both are proven liars and it almost seems like they’re trying to debate who’s less racist. And at this point, talking with one of my friends, it was, you have to pick the lesser of two evils, but in the end, it’s still evil.”

Kaepernick also responded to a statement Trump made during an August radio interview in which he said Kaepernick’s anthem protest wasn’t “a good thing” and that the athlete might want to find a country that works better for him.

Kaepernick said it was “a very ignorant statement, that if you don’t agree with what’s going on here and that if you want justice and liberty and freedom for all that you should leave the country.”

Bears sign RB Bell

Injuries at running back have prompted the Chicago Bears to sign veteran running back Joique Bell. Bell posted a picture of himself, along with general manager Ryan Pace and salary cap head Joey Laine, signing the contract The Bears have not announced the agreement or the necessary corresponding roster move.

The oft-injured Bell was the Detroit Lions’ second-leading rusher last season with 311 yards on 90 carries (3.5 avg). The speedster also had 22 catches for 286 yards. The Bears are his first team since the Lions cut him in February.

The high right ankle sprain Bears starter Jeremy Langford suffered in Sunday’s loss to the Cowboys apparently is serious. ESPN reported Monday that Langford is expected to miss four to six weeks. Second stringer Ka’Deem Carey is nursing a hamstring injury.

The Lions are also depleted at running back, having lost leading rusher Ameer Abdullah to a long-term foot injury. They worked out Bell earlier this season, according to multiple media outlets. Instead of signing with his former team, though, Bell is now positioned to play against them Sunday at Soldier Field.

Colts’ Cole to IR

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts put outside linebacker Trent Cole on injured reserve Tuesday.

Cole is in the final year of a two-year deal he signed last season and had been dealing with an injured back, though he was credited with one tackle in Sunday’s 26-22 victory over San Diego. He has 88½ career sacks in 12 NFL seasons.

Indy (1-2) made no immediate announcement about who would take Cole’s spot on the active roster.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Mountlake Terrace’s Svayjeet Singh leaps in the air after the basketball during the 3A district loser-out playoff game against Snohomish on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish upsets Mountlake Terrace for first playoff win in 11 years

Bryson Wheat scored 25 in Panthers’ 49-43 win to advance to the District 1 Boys 3A quarterfinals

Marysville Getchell junior Bubba Palocol reverses directions while dribbling against Arlington during a playoff matchup at Arlington High School on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Thursday, Feb. 13

Marysville Getchell, Lakewood boys each earn district wins

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Feb. 2-8

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Feb. 2-8. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Kenneth Walker III runs with against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 1, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks hire run game coach

Justin Outten added to staff as Mike Macdonald continues attempts to bolster rushing attack.

Balanced scoring attack leads Gonzaga

Zags take over second place in WCC with 88-77 win over USF.

Shorewood senior Bridget Cox (11) elevates to get a shot over Everett senior Aimelie Hovde-Girard (21) in Shorewood's 41-30 win in the opening round of the District 1 3A Girls Tournament on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Shorewood girls basketball avoids Everett upset bid in 41-30 win

Glasser’s ‘dagger’ 3 caps second-half run, pushes No. 5 Stormrays to 3A District 1 Quarterfinals

Prep roundup for Wednesday, Feb. 12

Terrace, Monroe girls advance in district hoops tournament.

Kimberly Beard, a Mukilteo resident who attends King's High School, prepares to release a throw during the 20-pound weight competition at George Fox University in Newberg, Ore. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Donna Beard)
Mukilteo’s Kimberly Beard wins throwing event

The King’s High School junior won the 20-pound weight throw at a George Fox indoor meet.

Seahawks right tackle Abraham Lucas (72), who will be coached by his third offensive line coach in three seasons in 2025, lines up in Seattle's 20-17 win over San Francisco at Levi's Stadium on Nov. 17, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks hire shows they’re serious about offensive line

New offensive coordinator bringing in veterans with hopes of improving front.

Stanwood High School football coach Jeff Scoma talks with the referees during the 3A quarterfinal game against Odea on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Former Stanwood football coach lands new Gig

Jeff Scoma, who resigned midseason in 2024, will coach Gig Harbor H.S. next season.

Mariners among biggest offseason losers

Juan Soto, LA Dodgers are among winners as baseball begins.

High schoolers challenge Trump’s ban of trans athletes

Two transgender high school students have challenged President Trump’s executive order barring… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.