With Mac Jones Doubtful, New England Patriots Rookie Bailey Zappe In Line For First NFL Start

The New England Patriots listed Mac Jones as doubtful on the final injury report leading up to Sunday’s matchup with the Detroit Lions, setting the stage for Bailey Zappe to make his first NFL start.

A left high-ankle sprain suffered on Sept. 25 against the Baltimore Ravens had kept Jones limited in practice after he was previously ruled out last week against the Green Bay Packers. The absence of the former No. 15 overall pick out of Alabama put veteran backup quarterback Brian Hoyer under center at Lambeau Field. But a concussion that has since sent the 36-year-old to injured reserve was sustained by the end of the second drive.

In stepped Zappe from there.

In what became a 27-24 overtime loss, the product of Houston Baptist and Western Kentucky completed 10-of-15 passes for 99 yards and no interceptions. Three sacks, including a fumble, were accrued in his NFL debut as the offense turned to the running game. Yet so was a play-action touchdown to wide receiver DeVante Parker that gave New England a 17-14 lead in the third quarter.

With it, Zappe became the first rookie around the league to throw a TD this regular season.

“Yeah, I’m sure there will be a little bit more comfortability with it,” Zappe told reporters on Wednesday of his next potential opportunity. “But, like I said, I’m going to lean on my teammates a lot. They helped me a lot at the Packers, and I’m going to lean on them even more this upcoming game, or whenever it is. I’m really excited for just going to practice every day and getting better.”

The Patriots selected Zappe, listed at 6-foot-1, 220 pounds, in the fourth round of the 2022 draft. The 50-game collegiate starter would be the position’s fifth prospect off the board, trailing Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett, Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder, Liberty’s Malik Willis and Mississippi’s Matt Corral.

Once a no-star recruit out of Victoria, Texas, Zappe spent four seasons in the FCS on the way to becoming a finalist for the Walter Payton Award. Going 475-of-686 passing last fall, the Hilltoppers transfer amassed 5,967 yards and 62 touchdowns through the air to set single-season FBS records.

Along the way arrived 11 interceptions and three rushing touchdowns before Zappe took home the Conference USA MVP and the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award. Invitations to the Reese’s Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine were also earned by pick No. 137, who became New England’s 13th draft investment at quarterback since 2000.

Zappe, 23, is now on track to become the organization’s third to start a game as a rookie over that span, following a Pro Bowl alternate in Jones last campaign and Jacoby Brissett back in 2016.

“He’s gotten a lot more snaps, which is always a good thing for a quarterback in timing and communication,” Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said during his Friday press conference. “So he’s definitely making progress with more experience and more opportunity. I couldn’t put a percentage on it.”

The 1-3 Patriots signed veteran quarterback Garrett Gilbert to the practice squad amid the depth chart’s attrition. Sunday’s kickoff at Gillette Stadium versus the 1-3 Lions is set for 1 p.m. ET.