Report: Patriots ‘putting pressure’ on Jimmy Garoppolo to play

The New England Patriots are reportedly trying to pressure Jimmy Garoppolo into playing against the Houston Texans on Thursday, and they’re using the face of their franchise as an example to encourage him to play through pain.

According to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald, the Patriots want Garoppolo to suit up Thursday despite the fact that he is struggling to lift his right arm. In order to motivate the 24-year-old, the team is reportedly reminding him that Tom Brady has played hurt.

However, the Patriots are putting pressure on Garoppolo to be ready as quickly as possible, even reminding him Tom Brady played through a similar injury on multiple occasions throughout his career, sources have told the Herald. That Garoppolo took part in practice Tuesday, on a limited basis, reinforces how the Patriots have hopes of him playing this week.

Garoppolo is still struggling to lift his right arm, so it is unrealistic to believe he’ll be ready to perform effectively against the Texans, who are ranked third in both points and yards allowed through two weeks.

Howe notes that all signs indicate it would be “unrealistic” to think Garoppolo can face Houston, but the Patriots have not yet ruled him out.

Talk about laying it on thick, huh? Even if Garoppolo is able to play, it’s unlikely that he will be close to 100 percent. He is rumored to have suffered a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder during Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins when linebacker Kiko Alonso put a big hit on him. You can see a video of the play here.