Hoyer exits Pats-Packers after huge hit; Bailey Zappe takes over

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Brian Hoyer's third start since the 2017 season lasted all of 10 minutes.

The New England Patriots' backup quarterback exited Sunday's Week 4 matchup with the Packers after taking a huge hit from Green Bay pass rusher Rashan Gary on a sack at the 5:46 mark of the first quarter.

Hoyer immediately went to the blue medical tent after the sack and later was taken to the locker room to be evaluated by an independent neurologist for a potential head injury. The Patriots officially ruled Hoyer out of the game in the second quarter.

Hoyer was starting in place of Mac Jones, who was ruled out of Sunday's game with an ankle injury. Rookie Bailey Zappe took over at quarterback in place of Hoyer in his first regular-season action.

While Zappe set two FBS records in 2021 with 5,545 passing yards and 56 passing touchdowns at Western Kentucky, it's obviously not ideal that New England is down to its third-string quarterback in Week 4.

Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers has been the Patriots' emergency QB in the past, but Meyers also is sidelined for Sunday's game due to injury, so it's unclear who would step in under center if Zappe went down.

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