Bailey Zappe Injury News & Updates

Zappe reverted to Cleveland's practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Zappe was elevated ahead of Sunday's Week 8 loss to New England with Shedeur Sanders inactive due to an ankle injury. However, Zappe didn't get into the game against his former team. The Browns are on bye Week 9, and Zappe's chance of being elevated Week 10 likely hinges on whether Sanders is able to return.

Zappe was elevated to the Browns' active roster Saturday.

Zappe's elevation to the Browns' active roster provides depth at quarterback, as Shedeur Sanders (back) will likely be a game-time decision for Sunday's matchup against the Patriots, per Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. The Western Kentucky product started one game for Cleveland in 2024, completing 16 of 31 passes for 170 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. If Sanders is unable to play in Week 8, Zappe is expected to backup Dillon Gabriel.

The Browns could promote Zappe to the active roster ahead of Week 6's game in Pittsburgh, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Cleveland released its unofficial depth chart, which lists Dillon Gabriel as the starting quarterback with Shedeur Sanders as the backup. However, that may not be the pecking order come kickoff against the Steelers. The Browns signed Zappe after cut-down day and at a time when they already had six QBs on the roster. Perhaps the veteran, who has made nine career starts including Week 16 in 2024 for Cleveland, is viewed as a more game-ready than Sanders, who could drop back to being the emergency quarterback.

Cleveland signed Zappe to the practice squad Thursday.

Zappe suited up for and started one game for Cleveland during the 2024 regular season, completing 16 of 31 pass attempts for 170 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He also rushed twice for two yards. The 2022 fourth-round pick, who began NFL career with New England, now sticks to the practice squad to remain with the Browns as an emergency option at quarterback.

Kansas City waived Zappe on Monday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

As expected, Zappe will not be one of the quarterbacks the Chiefs keep on their final 53-man roster to start the 2025 season. He's on track to become a free agent able to sign with any team, but there's also a chance he ends up back on Kansas City's practice squad.

The Chiefs signed Zappe to a one-year contract Friday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Zappe spent time as a reserve option at quarterback for Cleveland in 2024, completing 16 of 31 passes for 170 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in his lone spot start. With Gardner Minshew (collarbone) the clear favorite to back up Patrick Mahomes after signing with Kanas City on Thursday, Zappe finds himself once again competing for a third-string or reserve spot. The Chiefs also have Chris Oladokun on the roster.

Zappe completed 16 of 31 passes for 170 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in Saturday's 35-10 loss to the Ravens. He added two rushes for two yards.

Zappe drew the start Saturday and ceded relatively limited work to Dorian Thompson-Robinson. His opportunity to start didn't go as planned, as he threw a pick-six on Cleveland's second possession and was unable to get the Browns into the end zone until early in the fourth quarter with the team down three scores. Zappe will become a free agent this offseason and will hope to compete for a backup job during training camp for the 2025 campaign.

Zappe will start Saturday's season finale against the Ravens, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

While Zappe is slated to get the start at QB for the Browns in Week 18, head coach Kevin Stefanski previously suggested that he expected Dorian Thompson-Robinson (calf) to also see some work versus Baltimore. With that in mind, Zappe isn't a high-percentage fantasy option this weekend, however he does represent a potential lineup pivot for fantasy managers dealing with scenarios where their signal callers may be rested or limited.

Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski said Tuesday that both Zappe and Dorian Thompson-Robinson (calf) play Week 18 against Baltimore, Patrick Warren of the Browns' official site reports. "There's a scenario where we (play both), but I want to make sure we get through the week before making the final determination," the coach said.

Zappe was signed to the Browns' active roster Oct. 22 but has not yet made it on the field. He served as the backup quarterback the last two weeks with Jameis Winston (shoulder) being the emergency third QB. Stefanski said he'll provide an update on the quarterback situation towards the end of the week ahead of Saturday's regular-season finale.

Zappe will serve as Cleveland's backup quarterback to Dorian Thompson-Robinson for the second week in a row Sunday, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Former starter Jameis Winston is serving as the emergency third QB for the second straight week due to a shoulder injury, per Easterling. Zappe has yet to appear in a game this season after playing in 14 across his first two campaigns in the NFL in 2022 and 2023, both with New England.

Zappe will serve as the Browns' backup quarterback against the Bengals on Sunday.

Jameis Winston is serving as the Browns' emergency third-string quarterback Sunday due to a right shoulder injury, which leaves Zappe as Cleveland's QB2 behind Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Zappe appeared in 10 regular-season games for the Patriots in 2023, completing 59.9 percent of his passes for 1,272 yards, six touchdowns and nine interceptions while adding 17 carries for 83 yards and one touchdown. Zappe could revert to the emergency quarterback for Week 17 against the Dolphins on Sunday, Dec. 29 if Winston is healthy.

The Browns re-signed Zappe on Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Zappe was cut by Cleveland on Monday, but he cleared waivers Tuesday and is back with the 53-man roster. He slides back in as the team's QB3 behind Jameis Winston and Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

The Browns waived Zappe on Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The 25-year-old quarterback from Western Kentucky joined the Browns' active roster Oct. 23 and had been serving as the team's emergency third QB before being waived Monday. Zappe's most recent regular-season NFL action came with the Patriots in 2023, appearing in 10 games and throwing for 1,272 yards, six touchdowns and nine interceptions. He could remain in Cleveland on the Browns' practice squad if he clears waivers.

Zappe (coach's decision) in inactive for Thursday's game against Pittsburgh but will serve as Cleveland's emergency third quarterback, Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site reports.

Zappe was signed to the Browns' active roster from Kansas City's practice squad Oct. 22 and has been working as Cleveland's emergency third quarterback since then. He'll be able to enter Thursday's contest only if both Jameis Winston and Dorian Thompson-Robinson become unable to play due to injury, illness, or disqualification.

Zappe (coach's decision) is inactive but will serve as Cleveland's emergency third quarterback.

Zappe won't count against the gameday roster maximum, but he can enter the game if Jameis Winston and Dorian Thompson-Robinson are injured during the contest.

Cleveland signed Zappe to its active roster Wednesday.

It was reported Tuesday that the Browns' intention was to sign Zappe away from the Chiefs' practice squad, but the ink was actually laid Wednesday. If neither Jameis Winston or Dorian Thompson-Robinson (finger) can provide Cleveland with steady play under center, Zappe could be called upon to try his luck at some point.

The Browns will sign Zappe off the Chiefs' practice squad Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

With Deshaun Watson (Achilles) likely headed for injured reserve and Dorian Thompson-Robinson (finger) at risk of missing Sunday's game against the Ravens, the Browns will bring Zappe aboard to provide some insurance in a quarterback room that also includes Jameis Winston. Zappe signed with the Chiefs' practice squad in late August after being cut by the Patriots, with whom he made 14 appearances (eight starts) over his first two NFL seasons.

The Chiefs signed Zappe to their practice squad Wednesday, Jordan Schultz of BleacherReport.com reports.

The Western Kentucky product failed to make New England's initial 53-man roster, but he's now found a new home in Kansas City. Zappe has played sporadically throughout his two years in the NFL, throwing for 2,053 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 14 regular-season contests. He could very well serve as the Chiefs' No. 3 quarterback option behind Patrick Mahomes and Carson Wentz in 2024.

The Patriots are slated to waive Zappe, Mike Reiss of ESPN reports.

With Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye in contention for the team's starting job and rookie sixth-rounder Joe Milton also in the mix, Zappe was the odd man out in New England's QB room. The 2022 fourth-rounder will now have a chance to catch on elsewhere with a franchise looking to add a backup with some starting experience.

Zappe completed 12 of his 20 pass attempts for 108 yards and ran once for six yards in Thursday's 17-3 preseason win over the Panthers.

Per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, Zappe logged a team-high 36 snaps among the Patriots' QBs in the team's exhibition opener, while top options Jacoby Brissett (four snaps) and Drake Maye (six snaps) both saw limited action in the contest. At this stage, Zappe is competing with rookie sixth-rounder Joe Milton for depth slotting, with Chad Graff of The Athletic suggesting that in the current context Zappe seems unlikely to make New England's 53-man roster.

With veteran newcomer Jacoby Brissett and 2024 first-rounder Drake Maye viewed as roster locks, Zappe figures to compete with rookie sixth-rounder Joe Milton and Nathan Rourke for slotting on the Patriots' depth chart, Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reports.

Alternatively, Callahan suggests that with five QBs in the mix the Patriots could look to move Zappe, who drew six regular-season starts for the team in 2023. For now, however, Zappe remains with the organization that selected him 137th overall in the 2022 draft. In any case, even if the 25-year-old ends up sticking around as a depth option, he won't have a path to a potential starting role, as long as Brissett and Maye are healthy. With that in mind, Callahan suggests that Zappe could find himself on the radar of other teams seeking signal-caller options once injuries hit.

Zappe appears set to operate as the No. 2 quarterback behind Jacoby Brissett, who is slated to sign a one-year, $8 million contract with the Patriots, John Keim of ESPN reports.

Zappe started New England's final six games of the 2023 season after beating out Mac Jones, who the Patriots recently traded to Jacksonville for a 2024 sixth-round draft pick, posting a 6:7 TD:INT in that span. Given that New England holds the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, in what's considered a high-end quarterback class, Zappe could end up further down the depth chart with the selection of rookie competition.

Zappe completed 12 of 30 passes for 88 yards with two interceptions while adding three rushing attempts for 13 yards in Sunday's 17-3 loss to the Jets.

Zappe actually had more passing yards than Trevor Siemian (70) in this snowy defensive battle, but Siemian didn't turn the ball over as the Jets snapped their 15-game losing streak against New England. Zappe posted a 6:9 TD:INT in 10 appearances on the season, including a 6:7 TD:INT in six starts after replacing Mac Jones atop the depth chart. New England will have the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and could draft a quarterback with that selection.

Zappe completed 16 of 26 passes for 209 yards and three interceptions while adding 37 rushing yards and a touchdown on five carries in Sunday's 27-21 loss to the Bills.

The second-year quarterback got picked off to end two of New England's first three drives, leading directly to 10 points that put Buffalo in the lead for good after Jalen Reagor had opened the game with a kickoff return to the house. Zappe's final INT became a pick-six for Rasul Douglas early in the second quarter. While the QB settled down after that and kept the Patriots in the game, the hole was too deep to escape. The rushing TD was the first of Zappe's career, and he has a 6:5 TD:INT in five starts since replacing Mac Jones under center. Zappe will get one more chance to establish himself as a part of the Pats' future in Week 18 against the Jets.

Zappe completed 25 of 33 passes for 256 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in Sunday's 26-23 win over the Broncos. He also lost a fumble.

It took the Patriots' offense some time to get on track, as they managed just three points in the first half. However, Zappe turned things around in the second half, which began when he orchestrated a five-play, 70-yard touchdown drive on New England's first offensive possession in the third quarter, which he capped with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Ezekiel Elliott. Three possessions later, he led a similar possession that concluded with an 11-yard touchdown toss to Mike Gesicki. Zappe ended his day with a drive to set up a game-winning field goal that came with only seconds remaining in the contest. The effort marks his second multi-touchdown performance in his last three games. While the Patriots are very likely to find a different solution at starting quarterback this offseason, Zappe is solidifying his future in the league with his close to the campaign.

Zappe completed 23 of 31 passes for 180 yards and a touchdown with an interception in Sunday's 27-17 loss to Kansas City.

The second-year QB was efficient but not very productive Sunday, and Zappe wasn't able to build on last week's three-touchdown performance. His ability to move the ball in the second half may have been hurt by the loss of his favorite option, tight end Hunter Henry (knee), who Zappe had hit for a 16 -yard TD in the second quarter prior to his exit. The Patriots have a real shot at landing the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but Zappe is playing for a job next season and isn't likely to let up in Week 16 against the Broncos.

Zappe completed 19 of 28 passes for 240 yards with three touchdowns and one interception in the Patriots' 21-18 win over the Steelers on Thursday night. He also rushed three times for 13 yards.

Zappe was the overriding reason a game with the lowest projected total in 30 years exceeded expectations, with the second-year signal-caller turning in the first three-touchdown effort of his career. A bulk of Zappe's success came in the first half, when he connected with Ezekiel Elliott (11 yards) and Hunter Henry (eight, 24 yards) for his trio of scoring tosses. Zappe didn't lead the Patriots to any second-half points, but his one turnover didn't lead to any Steelers points. Given the virtually unprecedented offensive success -- by the Patriots' 2023 standards -- Zappe was able to help spearhead Thursday, he seems like a lock to draw a Week 15 home start against the Chiefs on Sunday, Dec. 17.

Zappe is expected to start Thursday night's game against the Steelers, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Though coach Bill Belichick declined to publicly name the team's Week 14 starting QB, Zappe appears poised to log another turn on the heels of completing 13 of 25 passes for 141 yards with no touchdowns or turnovers in this past Sunday's 6-0 loss to the Chargers. Given the state of 2-10 New England's offense -- which will be without RB Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) and WRs DeVante Parker (knee), Demario Douglas (concussion) and Kayshon Boutte (shoulder) on Thursday -- Zappe is a lineup option in only the deepest of fantasy formats.

Zappe implied Tuesday that he'll remain the Patriots' starting quarterback Thursday at Pittsburgh, Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reports. "Coach (Bill Belichick) has made it pretty clear, but I'll let him announce it to everybody," Zappe said.

Zappe didn't fare much better than previous starter Mac Jones this past Sunday during a 6-0 loss to the Chargers, completing 13 of 25 passes for 141 yards and no touchdowns while rushing four times for 16 yards. On a positive note, Zappe didn't turn the ball over after tossing picks in both of his prior two appearances. His available skill-position talent is in flux considering running back Rhamondre Stevenson has a high-ankle sprain and all of RB Ezekiel Elliott (thigh) and WRs DeVante Parker (knee) Demario Douglas (concussion), JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle) and Kayshon Boutte (shoulder) also are on the Patriots' Week 14 injury report. As a result, once Belichick makes it official that Zappe will get the nod this week, he doesn't necessarily have the pieces available to produce on the field.

Zappe completed 13 of 25 passes for 141 yards with no touchdowns or turnovers in Sunday's 6-0 loss to the Chargers. He added four rushing attempts for 16 yards.

Zappe failed to lead the Patriots to any points in his first start of the season. He completed just five of 12 passes for 39 yards in the first half, and while Zappe mustered more yardage after halftime, he still didn't move the offense effectively. Mac Jones wasn't much better prior to being benched, so it remains to be seen which quarterback the Patriots will turn to on a short week against the Steelers on Thursday. Per Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site, the team also had plays drawn up for mobile rookie Malik Cunningham, so Cunningham may work his way into the mix under center as well.

Zappe is expected to start Sunday's game against the Chargers, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site and Zack Cox of NESN.com report.

Though coach Bill Belichick declined to publicly confirm New England's starting quarterback, leading up to the game the signs pointed to Zappe getting the nod after having taken over for Mac Jones (who is in uniform Sunday) in the second half of a 10-7 loss to the Giants in Week 12. With Demario Douglas (concussion) and Kayshon Boutte (shoulder/illness) both out, Zappe is on track to be working with a thinned-out WR corps and given the overall state of the team's offense, plus potentially rainy conditions, it wouldn't surprise us to see the Patriots lean toward a run focus as long as the flow of the Sunday's contest permits. Additionally, it's been speculated that the team has prepared a package of plays designed to get practice squad elevation Malik Cunningham some snaps versus Los Angeles.

The Patriots are preparing Zappe to start Sunday against the Chargers, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports.

Signs have been pointing this direction after Zappe again replaced Mac Jones in last Sunday's embarrassing 10-7 loss to the Giants and then took the bulk of the first-team reps in Wednesday's practice. Zappe also seemed to confirm to the media on Wednesday that he would start versus Los Angeles. The move from Jones to Zappe doesn't move the needle much, if at all, for the New England offense. Zappe is merely a game manager with an ugly 48.7 percent completion rate averaging a pitiful 4.1 yards per attempt on 39 throws this season.

During the media-access portion of Wednesday's practice, Zappe took multiple QB reps, then was followed by practice squad member Malik Cunningham, Mike Reiss of ESPN reports.

Reiss adds that neither Mac Jones nor practice squad signal caller Will Grier threw during the early portion of the session. While coach Bill Belichick has declined to name a starting quarterback for this Sunday's game against the Chargers, the way things went Wednesday hints at Zappe potentially getting the nod this weekend. During the Patriots' 10-7 loss to the Giants in Week 12, Zappe replaced Jones after halftime and completed nine of 14 passes for 54 yards, with no touchdowns and one interception.

Zappe completed nine of 14 passes for 54 yards, no touchdowns and one interception in Sunday's 10-7 loss to the Giants.

After Mac Jones threw two interceptions in the first half, Zappe was called upon to lead New England's offense for the final two quarters. Zappe took better care of the ball but was otherwise uninspiring, as he averaged only 3.9 yards per attempt and his longest completion went for 15 yards -- nearly all of which came after the catch. It's unclear who will be under center for New England in Week 13 against the Chargers, though both Zappe and Jones have had problems effectively moving the offense.

Zappe could mix in at quarterback in Sunday's game against the Giants, even though Mac Jones is expected to remain the Patriots' starter Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Per the report, Jones and Zappe split reps in practice this week, hinting at the possibility that the team could have both players see the field Sunday. Meanwhile, the Patriots waived Will Grier on Saturday and didn't elevate Malik Cunningham from the practice squad ahead of the Week 12 game. Given the uncertainty surrounding the Patriots' quarterback situation, neither Jones nor Zappe look like appealing fantasy options outside of deeper leagues in Week 12.

Zappe was the second quarterback to handle drills at Tuesday's unofficial practice behind Mac Jones (undisclosed), Mark Daniels of The Providence Journal reports.

Zappe has stepped in for Jones three times this season, including in the Patriots' last game Week 10 against the Colts in Germany. Both QBs tossed horrid interceptions in that contest, and afterward coach Bill Belichick wouldn't commit to a starter with a Week 11 bye on tap. After the respite, Belichick again relayed to Evan Lazar of the team's official site Tuesday, "I've told all the players the same thing: be ready to go." Tuesday's happenings may be a glimpse into who will be under center Sunday at the Giants, but the decision between the two may not be made into close to that contest.

Zappe replaced Mac Jones for the Patriots' final drive in a 10-6 loss to the Colts on Sunday, completing three of seven passes for 25 yards and an interception.

The second-year QB made a couple good throws to begin the possession, but with the Patriots out of timeouts, Zappe's attempt to pull a Dan Marino and fake a spike to stop the clock ended in disaster when his downfield toss to Demario Douglas was picked off. It was also an ugly INT that got Jones benched in the first place, so neither QB distinguished himself if the starting job is indeed up for grabs. New England's coaching staff will have a bye next week to sort out the mess under center before facing the Giants in Week 12.

Zappe is active for Sunday's game against the Bills, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Zappe was the Patriots' emergency third QB for last weekend's game against the Raiders, but he'll be the No. 2 option behind Mac Jones this time around. Meanwhile, QB/WR Malik Cunningham is inactive, while Will Grier is the team's designated third QB on Sunday.

Zappe is the Patriots' emergency third QB for Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Meanwhile, Will Grier is inactive, which sets the stage for Malik Cunningham to serve as the Patriots' primary backup quarterback behind Mac Jones on Sunday.

Zappe took over for an ineffective Mac Jones with 12:55 remaining in the Patriots' 34-0 loss to the Saints on Sunday and completed three of nine passes for 22 yards.

Zappe was ultimately no better than Jones in sparking the Patriots offense, seemingly leaving the team in a proverbial no man's land when it comes to its quarterback situation. Zappe showed some flashes of effective play during his starting stint as a raw rookie, but Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports head coach Bill Belichick stated after the game that Jones would remain the starting quarterback in a Week 6 road matchup against the Raiders.

Zappe will remain in a backup role for Sunday's game against the Saints, but he took more reps in practice this week than usual, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Mac Jones will make another start Sunday, but he's on a shorter leash after a disastrous showing in last week's blowout loss to the Cowboys. The Patriots want to make sure that Zappe is prepared in the event he has to play again after entering last week's game in the third quarter.

Zappe completed four of nine passes for 57 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions in Sunday's 38-3 loss to the Cowboys.

Zappe entered the game late in the third quarter to replace Mac Jones with the Patriots down 31-3. He was unremarkable in relief, and it was confirmed after the game that he'll return to backup duties for a Week 5 matchup against the Saints, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports.

Zappe will back up Mac Jones on Sunday after signing with the 53-man roster Saturday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

The Patriots waived Matt Corral in a corresponding move, seemingly ending a confusing two-week period where it appeared Zappe and promising rookie Malik Cunningham had both lost the backup job without a clear option for the role on the active roster. Zappe wasn't particularly impressive during the preseason, especially in the team's final game, but the second-year quarterback does have more in-game experience than any of the other options for New England and will likely remain the backup moving forward.

Zappe is joining the Patriots' practice squad, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Zappe had offers to join seven other practice squads but opted to stay with New England. It's a sensible decision for the second-year quarterback. Not only is Zappe already familiar with the Patriots' system, but the only quarterback on the Patriots' 53-man roster is Mac Jones, so Zappe is functionally the backup, while joining another organization's practice squad would have pushed him down to a third-string role at best.

Zappe completed eight of 15 passes for 57 yards in Friday's preseason loss to Tennessee, re-entering the game in the second half after initially leaving in the second quarter.

Zappe lost a fumble on the second drive of the game and generally struggled to get anything done, though he did oversee a short TD drive after an interception. It was a poor finish to a poor preseason, and neither Trace McSorley nor Malik Cunningham seems to have stepped up to give Zappe a serious challenge for the backup QB role this summer. The Patriots might consider looking at veteran options to provide depth behind Mac Jones, who was held out of Friday's game after a solid showing in his lone preseason appearance the week before.

Zappe completed 12 of 14 passes for 79 yards in Thursday night's 20-9 preseason-opening loss to the Texans.

Zappe played the entire first half as well as New England's opening drive of the third quarter, leading the team to just three points. Although he didn't average much yardage, Zappe completed a high percentage of his passes, which should help his case to remain Mac Jones' backup this season.

Zappe has worked primarily with the second-team offense in training camp, Karen Guregian of MassLive.com reports.

The Patriots haven't outright named Mac Jones their starting quarterback, but all signs point to that being the case. Jones has received the lion's share of reps with the starters and looked good while doing so, leaving Zappe to run the second-team offense. If Zappe can hold off Trace McSorley for the backup spot, he'll at least be in position to take advantage if Jones underperforms or gets hurt.

Zappe indicated that he'll be ready if presented with the opportunity to compete with Mac Jones for the Patriots' starting QB job, Eric Edholm of NFL.com reports. "If my opportunity presents itself, I'm going to take full advantage of it," Zappe noted Wednesday. "I'm going to do everything I can to help the team win. That's really all I can say from that standpoint. That's coach (Bill) Belichick's decision, whatever he decides. But if the opportunity presents itself, I'm going to be ready and take advantage

As a rookie, Zappe started two games while Jones dealt with an ankle injury, and overall the 2022 fourth-rounder recorded 65 completions on 92 passing attempts for 781 yards with five TDs and three picks in four appearances. Given that Belichick declined last month to specifically confirm Jones as the Patriots' starter this coming season, there's been speculation that Zappe could make a run a the job this summer. However, Mike Reiss of ESPN relays via team sources that the Patriots appear committed to seeing if Jones can get back on track after an uneven 2022 campaign, while at the same time being amenable to Zappe pushing the 2021 first-rounder in his third season as a pro. In any case, following the offseason departure of Brian Hoyer, Jones and Zappe are currently the only two quarterbacks on New England's roster, with the team likely to add depth at the position in the coming weeks/months.

Zappe finished the 2022 season with 65 completions on 92 passing attempts for 781 yards with five TDs and three picks in four appearances.

The 2022 fourth-rounder saw two starts as a rookie when Mac Jones was sidelined by an ankle injury and didn't look out of place in doing so. Looking ahead, Zappe is line to reprise his backup role behind Jones next season, while veteran signal caller Brian Hoyer is also under contract with the team through 2023.

Zappe will not start Sunday's game against the Jets, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Mac Jones reportedly took 90 percent of the first-team reps in practice Wednesday, two days after he was pulled in favor of Zappe in the second quarter of an eventual 33-14 loss to the Bears. Zappe got off to a quick start but then struggled after halftime, and it seems Jones' ankle is feeling better heading into Week 8.

Zappe completed 14 of 22 passes for 185 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in Monday's 33-14 loss to the Bears.

Zappe entered the game early in the second quarter in relief of the benched Mac Jones. Zappe immediately jumpstarted the New England offense, throwing for a 30-yard touchdown on his first possession while connecting on a 43-yard completion to DeVante Parker to set up another score on New England's next drive. However, Zappe cooled off considerably in the second half, completing only nine of his 16 passes for 76 yards to go along with both of his picks. Even so, he appears to have performed well enough to be considered for a Week 8 start against the Jets, and he may have created a genuine quarterback controversy in New England.

Coach Bill Belichick told Scott Zolak of 98.5 The Sports Hub that Mac Jones (ankle) "will start" for the Patriots on Monday against the Bears, relegating Zappe to backup duties.

While Jones is back following a three-game absence due to a high left-ankle sprain, it isn't out of the question that Zappe will be a part of the game plan Week 7, according to Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site. Leading the Patriots to a 2-1 record in place of Jones, Zappe completed 73 percent of his passes for 596 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. If he mixes into the offense Monday, though, Zappe seems likely to have a limited snap count, if any.

Zappe completed 24 of 34 passes for 309 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the Patriots' 38-15 win over the Browns on Sunday. He also netted minus-4 yards on three rushes and lost a fumble.

The rookie's remarkable starting run continued in fine fashion Sunday, with Zappe setting new career highs in completions, pass attempts, passing yards and touchdown passes. Zappe's one turnover came on a strip sack by Myles Garrett late in the first quarter in New England territory, but the Patriots defense was subsequently up to the task by turning the Browns over on downs in the ensuing possession. Zappe's tenure under center may be coming to an end for now with Mac Jones (ankle) ostensibly having a good chance of returning for a Week 7 Monday night home battle against the Bears, but he's arguably shown enough to perhaps keep the No. 2 job even when Brian Hoyer (IR-concussion) is healthy enough to return.

Zappe will start at quarterback for the Patriots in Sunday's game against the Browns, with Mac Jones (ankle) inactive, Evan Lazar of the team's official site reports.

In the Patriots' 29-0 win over the Lions last weekend, Zappe completed 17 of 21 passes for 188 yards with one TD and a pick. In his second straight start, the 2022 fourth-rounder is a speculative fantasy play, though he is an option for those who might otherwise rely on Jones, are in need of a bye week plug-in or who could use some short-term depth in QB-heavy formats.

Zappe is expected to start Sunday's game in Cleveland with top quarterback Mac Jones (ankle) listed as questionable but considered highly unlikely to play, sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Clarification on the Patriots' plans at quarterback won't officially arrive until the team releases its inactive list 90 minutes prior to the 1 p.m. ET kickoff, but unless Jones checks out better than anticipated during pregame warmups, Zappe will pick up his second straight start. The Patriots' decision to elevate another quarterback in Garrett Gilbert from the practice squad Saturday already signaled that Jones is trending toward missing a third straight contest, despite the fact that Jones practiced in a limited fashion this week. Gilbert should serve as the backup behind Zappe, who completed 17 of 21 attempts for 188 yards, a touchdown and an interception in his first NFL start last week in the Patriots' 29-0 win over the Lions.

Zappe completed 17 of 21 passes for 188 yards with one touchdown and one interception in the Patriots' 29-0 win over the Lions on Sunday. He also rushed five times for five yards and committed a fumble recovered by New England.

The rookie had acquitted himself well in emergency duty against the Packers in Week 4, and he put together another competent, game-manager-like performance Sunday in which he had the luxury of leaning heavily on his running game. Zappe did his part by limiting his turnovers as well and not taking any sacks, and he connected with Jakobi Meyers for a nifty 24-yard touchdown toss in the third quarter. Mac Jones (ankle) could reportedly return in Week 6 to face the Browns on the road, but Zappe now has some game reps under his belt and therefore would have a chance to keep the Patriots afloat in a favorable matchup if he had to draw a second straight start.

With Mac Jones (ankle) inactive, Zappe is slated to start at QB for the Patriots in Sunday's game against the Lions.

Jones was also out in Week 4 against the Packers and after veteran backup Brian Hoyer (who is now on IR) was forced out of last Sunday's contest with a concussion at the end of New England's second offensive series, Zappe stepped and completed 10 of 15 passing attempts for 99 yards with one touchdown. This time around, Zappe was able to gear up for the assignment, and the 2022 fourth-rounder offers a Week 5 fantasy alternative to those who roster Jones or are in QB-heavy leagues.

With Mac Jones (ankle) listed as doubtful, Zappe is trending toward starting Sunday's game against the Lions, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.

Given that Brian Hoyer (concussion) is on IR, Zappe will draw the start Sunday if Jones can't, with Garrett Gilbert a candidate to be elevated from the practice squad to serve as his backup. If Zappe does indeed make his first regular-season NFL start this weekend, he'd be a speculative option in most fantasy formats, but he does offer an option to those who roster Jones or are in QB-heavy leagues.

Zappe replaced Brian Hoyer (head) in the first quarter of Sunday's game versus the Packers and completed 10 of 15 passes for 99 yards and a touchdown but lost a fumble in a 27-24 overtime loss.

Zappe entered the game for New England's third offensive drive, making his NFL debut at Lambeau Field. Although the Patriots initially struggled to move the ball and Zappe was stripped while being sacked prior to halftime, the fourth-rounder was more settled in the second half. In fact, with a 25-yard score to DeVante Parker, Zappe became the first rookie quarterback to throw a touchdown pass this season. Although that play could've been blown dead for delay of game, Zappe still helped his team push for an improbable victory in unexpected circumstances, acquitting himself nicely overall. Ahead of Week 5's game versus the Lions, though, Zappe may only play if both Mac Jones (ankle) and Hoyer (head) remain sidelined.

Zappe is likely to see a good share of snaps under center in New England's preseason opener Thursday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

ESPN's Mike Reiss already noted Tuesday that he'd be surprised, based on how practice unfolded that day, if starting signal-caller Mac Jones played at all Thursday. If Jones does indeed sit out, it would leave Brian Hoyer and Zappe as the Patriots' only two options at quarterback. It's safe to say Coach Bill Belichick knows what he has in Hoyer, who has already spent seven of his fourteen seasons in the NFL with the Pats. Zappe's ability, on the other hand, is largely unknown at this point, so it would make sense if Belichick opted early in the game to see what he has to work with in the rookie from Western Kentucky rather than give mostly meaningless snaps to Hoyer.

The Patriots selected Zappe in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 137th overall.

Zappe spent four years at Houston Baptist of the FCS before transferring to Western Kentucky for 2021. He put together a historic season for as a senior, as he threw for 5,967 yards and an FBS-record 62 touchdowns, a record that was previously held by Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (60). Of course, Zappe did it against Conference USA competition while Burrow did it in the SEC, but the production is convincing nonetheless. Zappe probably lacks the arm strength and athleticism to be a difference-maker under center. However, he has the intelligence and touch to potentially be a steady game manager if he's ever thrust into NFL action. He'll first need to beat out Brian Hoyer and/or Jarrett Stidham to be 2021 first-round pick Mac Jones' backup.