By: Aidan McAuliffe – Correspondent

In Week 3 of the NFL Season when the New England Patriots were facing the Baltimore Ravens, they were trailing 37-26 when Baltimore got an interception to seal the game. After the play, Mac Jones was hopping off the field on one foot and screaming in pain. 

It was clear that ankle tests were necessary for the starting quarterback. The tests came back, showing that Jones had a high ankle sprain. Patriots fans forgot about the loss and were solely focused on the severity of Mac Jones’ injury. 

A high ankle sprain is obviously not a day by day injury. During the 2020 NFL season, star running back of the Panthers, Christian McCaffery, suffered a high ankle sprain, putting him out of play for 3 months.

Fans are expecting Jones to be out for multiple weeks, but Bill Belichick is optimistic. “Take it day by day,” Belichick said. 

Patriot Fans were unwillingly preparing for 14 year veteran Brian Hoyer to take over the offense. “I think that they’re already one of the least talented rosters in the league, so there’s not much upside now that their franchise quarterback is out,” said Sophomore Ben Melemead.

The Patriots were matched up against the Green Bay Packers in Hoyer’s first start. A couple plays into the game, Hoyer suffered a head injury and was ruled out for the rest of the game. This is when Rookie Bailey Zappe, 4th round draft pick from Western Kentucky University, was called upon. Zappe at Western Kentucky threw for 5967 yards and 62 touchdowns with only 11 interceptions, making him the fifth quarterback taken in the 2022 draft.

Sophomore Harry Shynader says Bailey Zappe played well and showed a lot of potential in his showing against the Packers. “I think he played well, he’s truly a gritty and fundamental player, he plays the game the right way, he throws the ball just like Mac and I think he can be the next Tom Brady,” he said.

The Patriots signed Veteran QB Garret Gilbert to their practice squad and he has been very impressed with Zappe, “I’ve been very impressed…I’ve spent a good amount of time with him in extra meetings, and being a young guy thrust into this position he’s done very well,” he said.

Bailey Zappe in his first start was very solid, putting up 188 yards with 1 passing touchdown. “The way he worked the field the whole game was impressive as a rookie, but with help from Jakobi Meyers and Rhamondre Stevenson. He put up decent stats, he went 17/21 which is insanely good as a rookie,” said Senior Jack Glassman.