New England Patriots quarterback Jarrett Stidham has been battling discomfort from a leg injury and will be limited or absent from Friday’s practice, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapaport and Mike Giardi. New England intends to proceed cautiously with one of their top quarterback options.
Stidham, a 2019 fourth-round draft pick, is entrenched in a quarterback battle with Cam Newton and Brian Hoyer. Stidham has thrown six interceptions in the last three practices, which could be linked to whatever ailment is bugging him. But because he is fighting an injury, he may have a harder time keeping pace in what should be an abbreviated quarterback battle amid the coronavirus pandemic.
#Patriots QB Jarrett Stidham has been battling discomfort from a leg injury and is not expected to practice much, if at all, today, sources tell me and @MikeGiardi. They will proceed cautiously.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 21, 2020
Stidham spent 2019 as the Patriots’ backup behind Tom Brady, who signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason. Stidham made a brief appearance in a Patriots’ blowout over the Jets, but the quarterback threw a pick-six, which led New England to put Brady back in the game.
His biggest competitor, Newton, spent most of 2019 on injured reserve, but has not been limited in training camp.
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