Patriots QB Jarrett Stidham reportedly out until late October after back surgery

According to the NFL Network, Patriots backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham underwent successful back surgery this week and will miss up to 12 weeks.

Stidham’s reported timeline would put him on track to return around late October. If he remains on the active roster through cutdown day in September, it’s all but guaranteed he’ll be placed on injured reserve for Week 1.

Stidham opened training camp on the Physically Unable to Play list and was not spotted at any time during the team’s first three practices. The Patriots signed former practice-squad quarterback Jake Dolegala to fill in as their new fourth quarterback on Wednesday. Pats coach Bill Belichick commented about Dolegala’s addition Thursday morning.

“We just thought it would be a good to have another quarterback activated and participate in the camp,” Belichick said. “Jarrett Stidham will miss a little bit of time, so we’ll have Jake in here.”

Dolegala joined Cam Newton, Mac Jones and Brian Hoyer in the team’s quarterbacks room. Newton mentioned Stidham off-hand during his press conference Friday.

“Shout out to him,” Newton said, “hopefully everything went good for him.”

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3j0ZPD8