Belichick: Hoyer will start if Jones can’t play vs. Packers
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — If Mac Jones can’t play Sunday for the Patriots visit to Green Bay, veteran backup quarterback Brian Hoyer will start in his place. But Bill Belichick is still leaving open the possibility that his second-year quarterback will be ready to go.
That’s about as much as the Patriots coach was wiling to share about the status of the left ankle injury that’s left Jones in danger of missing the first start of his career.
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“Definitely getting better,” Belichick said of Jones. “Made a lot of progress here in the last 48 hours. So keep plugging away and taking it day by day and see how it goes.”
Jones did not participate in Wednesday’s practice and Belichick also declined to confirm whether Jones’ injury was a high ankle sprain.
“What do I look like, a doctor? An orthopedic surgeon? Like, I don’t know. Talk to the medical experts,” he said.
What have those experts conveyed?
“Day by day,” Belichick said “They’ll evaluate him. What difference does it make to me? You think I’m going to read the MRI? That’s not my job.”
Hoyer has made starts for seven NFL teams during his 14-year career, but has lost his past 11 and amassed a record of just 16-23. The 2020 start he made for New England in its loss at Kansas City was his lone start with the Patriots. He stepped in that day for Cam Newton, who was out with COVID-19.
“I’ve played for 14 years, I have a lot of bad memories. I have a lot of good memories, too,” Hoyer said. “One game doesn’t define me. One play doesn’t define me. I’m excited for any opportunity I get a chance to go play. So, I really could care less about that.”
