Jimmy Garoppolo injured, Patriots playing with rookie quarterback Jacoby Brissett – Yahoo Sports

One of Bill Belichick’s mantras is “next man up.”

The New England Patriots’ coach is living that reality in his team’s game against the Miami Dolphins.

With just under five minutes left in the first half and the Patriots cruising, 21-0, Garoppolo was hit by Kiko Alonso, who came in on Garoppolo’s blind side as he was releasing a pass for Malcolm Mitchell. Garoppolo landed on his elbow and then shoulder and was down for several minutes being tended to by the team’s medical staff. Coach Bill Belichick came onto the field and stood nearby while Garoppolo was checked out.

The third-year quarterback walked off the field and was taken directly to the locker room and for X-rays, the cameras capturing him visibly in pain.

At the time he went out, Garoppolo was 18-for-27 for 234 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions.

Without Garoppolo, the Patriots turned to rookie Jacoby Brissett. The third-round pick out of North Carolina State took over for New England facing first down from the Miami 21, handing off twice to LeGarrette Blount and then missing his third-down attempt to Julian Edelman. New England settled for a field goal from Stephen Gostkowski.

CBS sideline reporter Jamie Erdahl said the team classified Garoppolo as questionable to return.

But after halftime, the Patriots downgraded Garoppolo to out and it is Brissett’s show for the rest of this game. The extent and severity of Garoppolo’s injury is unknown at this point.

Related NFL coverage on Yahoo Sports: