BRIAN HOYER

Rookie backup Bailey Zappe threw for 309 yards and two touchdowns in his third NFL game, Bill Belichick tied George Halas for second on the all-time list with his 324th victory, and the New England Patriots buried the Cleveland Browns 38-15.

ALLEN PARK -- The New England Patriots are going through some things at quarterback ahead of their matchup against the Detroit Lions in Week 5. Starting quarterback Mac Jones is dealing with a high ankle sprain, while former Michigan State standout Brian Hoyer landed on injured reserve with a concussion, per NFL Network. Hoyer left last week’s game against the Green Bay Packers with a brain injury, which pushed fourth-round rookie Bailey Zappe into action.

The Detroit Lions and New England Patriots are both coming off of close losses in Week 4 and will be looking to bounce back. Let’s break down how the Lions vs. Patriots should play out and we’ll provide further insight to the injuries plaguing both teams. Simply navigate to their NFL page, and the Lions vs. Patriots game will be among the early 1:00 pm EST games for Week 5. Lions injury report for Week 5The Lions have been dealing with quite the injury bug even aside from the aforementioned St. Brown. Make your NFL Week 5 picks against the spread in our MLive.com Pro Picks Challenge.

A month into the season, it’s clear Russell Wilson and Matt Ryan are still adjusting to their new teams.

Games are going down to the wire in the NFL at an unprecedented rate this season.

The 2019 first-round pick, who now plays outside linebacker for the Green Bay Packers, recorded two more sacks Sunday in a 27-24 overtime victory over the New England Patriots. Gary’s first came in the first quarter and knocked New England quarterback Brian Hoyer out for the rest of the game. Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith entered the week leading the NFL with 4 ½ sacks. Gary only had 10 sacks in three seasons at Michigan but has emerged as a top NFL pass-rusher over the past few seasons. He had 9/12 sacks last season five in 2020.

Mason Crosby made a 31-yard field goal as time expired in overtime, and the Green Bay Packers topped New England 27-24 to spoil Patriots rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe’s NFL debut.

Patriots quarterback Brian Hoyer left New England’s game with the Green Bay Packers because of a head injury.

The Green Bay Packers seemed to have shaken off a stunning loss in their season opener, and hope to keep up their winning ways against the battered New England Patriots at Lambeau on Sunday. Watch the NFL on FuboTV and Paramount+New England Patriots (1-2) vs. Green Bay Packers (2-1)When: Sunday, October 2Time: 4:25 p.m. ETWhere: Lambeau Field (Green Bay, Wis.)Channel: CBSStream: FuboTV, DirecTV Stream, Sling, Paramount+It seems as if the Green Bay Packers might have shaken off the early-season skepticism. Each team has six wins over one another, with the Pats winning the last meeting in November 2018. MY PICK: Packers win, 35-10Watch the NFL on FuboTV and Paramount+Check out the NFL standings and results on NFL.com

Patriots quarterback Mac Jones made a surprise return to the practice field on Friday, but was ruled out for this weekend's game at Green Bay.

The Green Bay Packers’ defense is meeting offseason expectations and giving this storied franchise a new look.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick says veteran Brian Hoyer will start if Mac Jones is unable to play in their matchup with the Green Bay Packers.

New England Patriots quarterbacks coach Joe Judge says the team will "put guys in a position to succeed" but won't overhaul the offense in Mac Jones' absence.

A few weeks shy of his 37th birthday, former Michigan State quarterback Brian Hoyer could be getting another chance to be an NFL starter. Patriots quarterback Mac Jones left the Patriots’ Sunday loss to the Ravens with a lower leg injury. ESPN reported later in the day that the injury is believed to be a high ankle sprain but is pending an MRI. NFL Network reported that injured reserve is a possibility if an MRI confirms that diagnosis.

The New England Patriots could be without Mac Jones in the coming weeks as multiple reports state he has suffered a high ankle sprain.

Mac Jones hopped off the field after his third interception of the game against the Baltimore Ravens, unable to put any weight on his left leg.

The Patriots say quarterback Mac Jones sat out Thursday’s practice with an illness.

And that’s meant significant news for the group of former Michigan State players who spent training camps in NFL rosters. Thirteen former Michigan State players made initial rosters, while nine were cut during training camp (another two will start the season injured lists). Brian Hoyer, QB, New England PatriotsHoyer is in his 14th NFL season, a time period spent nearly entirely as a backup quarterback. CutsAJ Arcuri, OL, Los Angeles RamsThe five-year Michigan State offensive lineman was picked by the Rams in the seventh round of the 2022 draft. Kevin Jarvis, OL, Detroit LionsJarvis made 39 starts at three different positions in his four-year Michigan State career and was signed by the Lions as an undrafted free agent.

Graham Gano hit a 24-yard field goal as time expired, Daniel Jones was solid in limited work and the New York Giants beat the New England Patriots 23-21 on Thursday night to open the preseason.

It marked only the second game he’s missed since 2015, when he became a full-time starter in Washington. Justin Layne, CB, Pittsburgh SteelersLayne had two tackles on 20 special teams plays in the Steelers’ Week 17 win over the Browns on Monday night. Taybor Pepper, LS, San Francisco 49ersPepper made nine long snaps in the 49ers’ 23-7 win over the Texans. Josiah Scott, CB, Philadelphia EaglesA week after seeing significant time on the Eagles’ defense, Scott returned to his role as a special teams player, with 14 special teams plays in the Eagles’ 20-16 win over Washington. Cody White, WR, Pittsburgh SteelersWhite’s role was limited to 10 special teams snaps and none on offense in the Steelers’ win over the Browns on Monday night.

The NFL is reducing isolation time for players who test positive for COVID-19 and are asymptomatic, including unvaccinated players, to five days from 10.

Joe Bachie, Cincinnati BengalsBachie saw action in 18 special teams plays in the Bengals’ 32-13 win over the Raiders. Kirk Cousins, QB, Minnesota VikingsCousins had one of his better games of the season while leading the Vikings to their second straight win. Andrew Dowell, LB, New Orleans SaintsA week after being inactive, Dowell returned to the field to play in 34 special teams plays. Justin Layne, CB, Pittsburgh SteelersLayne saw action in 11 special teams plays in the Steelers’ 41-37 loss to the Chargers. Josiah Scott, CB, Philadelphia EaglesScott played 16 special teams plays without recording a stat in the Eagles’ 40-29 loss to the Saints.

Joe Bachie, Cincinnati BengalsBachie played 20 specials teams plays while making one tackle in his third game of the season since getting called up from the practice squad. Andrew Dowell, LB, New Orleans SaintsDowell played on 23 special teams plays as the Saints beat the defending Super Bowl champion Buccaneers, 36-27. William Gholston, DL, Tampa Bay BuccaneersGholston played 42 defensive snaps without recording a statistic in the Buccaneers’ loss to the Saints. He made three tackles while playing 16 defensive plays and 13 special teams plays, marking the first time this year that Scott has gotten time with the Eagles’ defense since returning from injury. Cody White, WR, Pittsburgh SteelersWhite saw action on just three special teams plays in the Steelers’ win over the Browns.

William Gholston, DL, Tampa Bay BuccaneersGholston played 34 defensive snaps in Tampa Bay’s 38-3 win over Chicago. Malik McDowell, DT, Cleveland BrownsMcDowell had three tackles in the Browns’ 17-14 win over the Broncos. Josiah Scott, CB, Philadelphia EaglesScott played on 19 special teams plays in the Eagles’ loss to the Raiders. Khari Willis, S, Indianapolis ColtsWillis helped seal the game in the Colts’ 30-18 win over the 49ers, when he intercepted Jimmy Garoppolo with two minutes left. The interception, the second of the season for Willis, came along with six tackles and a pass deflection.

Here’s how former Michigan State players fared in Week 2 of NFL action:Brian Allen, Los Angeles RamsAllen started and played all 59 offensive snaps in the Rams’ win over the Colts. Kirk Cousins, QB, Minnesota VikingsCousins finished 22-for-32 for 244 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in Minnesota’s 34-33 loss to Arizona. He led a late drive to the Arizona 27-yard-line, but a potential game-winning field goal with four seconds left missed. Andrew Dowell, LB, New Orleans SaintsDowell saw action in nine plays during his third career game. Malik McDowell, DT, Cleveland BrownsMcDowell had a quieter game than a week ago in his NFL debut.

Mac Jones had probably his best day so far during Day 9 of Patriots training camp.

(AP Photo/Aaron Doster)Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott is inactive against San Francisco with a calf injury the two-time rushing championship has been battling for several weeks. Safety Deon Bush (foot) is also out after being listed questionable with Johnson. Cowboys: RB Ezekiel Elliott, QB Ben DiNucci, WR Malik Turner, CB Rashard Robinson, DE Bradlee Anae, LB Luke Gifford, DE Ron’Dell Carter. ___JACKSONVILLE AT BALTIMOREJaguars: CB Sidney Jones, CB Luq Barcoo, LB Quincy Williams, DT Daniel Ross, QB Jake Luton. Ravens: DE Calais Campbell, CB Jimmy Smith, CB Marcus Peters, RB Mark Ingram, LB Kristian Welch, DE Jihad Ward, C Trystan Colon-Castillo.

(AP Photo/John Froschauer)Dalvin Cook is back for the Minnesota Vikings from a one-game absence, his injured groin cleared to play in Green Bay. Packers: QB Jordan Love, CB Kevin King, S Raven Greene, RB Aaron Jones, LB Randy Ramsey, OT David Bakhtiari, DL Billy Winn. ___LOS ANGELES RAMS AT MIAMIRams: RB Raymond Calais, OL Brian Allen, WR Trishton Jackson, TE Brycen Hopkins, DL A’Shawn Robinson. Dolphins: RB/WR Lynn Bowden Jr., RB Salvon Ahmed, FB Chandler Cox, CB Jamal Perry, RB Jordan Howard, DE Jason Strowbridge. Bengals: K Austin Seibert, WR John Ross III, RB Joe Mixon, OG Michael Jordan, C Trey Hopkins, OT Bobby Hart, OT Jonah Williams.

The undefeated Titans are healing up from the NFL’s first COVID-19 outbreak. DeCastro will miss his third game of the season after sustaining an abdominal injury last week against Philadelphia. Johnson, Pittsburgh’s second-leading receiver, is out because of a back injury suffered on a punt return last week. Cincinnati also will be missing starting defensive tackle D.J. Eagles: RT Lane Johnson, WR DeSean Jackson, WR Alshon Jeffery, CB Avonte Maddox, S Marcus Epps, LB Duke Riley, QB Nate Sudfeld.

After spending the last three weeks on the injured reserve list, Le’Veon Bell returned to the field. Jets coach Adam Gase on Monday said he hadn’t talked to Bell yet about the issue. The third-year player started the first nine games last season before suffering a torn MCL, meniscus and fractured tibia. Calhoun has nine tackles, 1.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in four games this season for the Patriots (2-2). Willis, in his second season in the NFL, has 20 tackles, one sack and an interception in five games this season.

Kirk Cousins' third season with the Vikings was off to a rocky start. Cousins was 16-for-22 passing for 260 yards and one touchdown in Minnesota’s 31-23 win against Houston on Sunday. He has nine tackles, 1.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in four games for New England (2-2) this season. Gholston has 13 tackles, including three for a loss, and a sack in four games this season for the Buccaneers (3-1). Khari Willis, S, Indianapolis ColtsWillis had three tackles in the Colts' 19-11 win against the Bears on Sunday.

Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark (55) celebrates after sacking New England Patriots quarterback Brian Hoyer (2) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, in Kansas City. – It's hard enough to slow down Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs under the best of circumstances. It wasn't until Tyrann Mathieu took an interception back for a touchdown in the fourth that Kansas City clinched its 26-10 victory at Arrowhead Stadium. Later on Saturday, it came out that Chiefs practice squad QB Jordan Ta'amu also had tested positive, forcing the NFL to postpone the game. Chiefs: Defensive tackle Chris Jones was out with a groin injury that sidelined him in practice last week.

New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton walks to the field for an NFL football training camp practice, Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. Cam Newton is officially the new starting quarterback of the New England Patriots. A person familiar with the situation said Thursday that Newton was announced as the starter during a team meeting. The move was expected after the 2015 league MVP outperformed second-year Jarrett Stidham and veteran Brian Hoyer during training camp. Theres been some things that a lot of people may have not known about me prior to (joining the Patriots), Newton said.

Bill Belichick said he's open to using a two-quarterback system this season, another example of how radically different the New England Patriots could look after Tom Brady's departure. The longtime coach acknowledged he was considering the possibility, and the Patriots later used all three of their QBs during a single scrimmage series. Hoyer has the most experience in the Patriots offense. Stidham has youth and potential, having beaten out Hoyer as a rookie last season to be Bradys No. Belichick said using multiple quarterbacks could lend itself to different formations.

In this still image from a Webex media availability hosted by the New England Patriots, quarterback Cam Newton responds to a question, Friday, Aug. 7, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (New England Patriots via AP)Cam Newton is the first to admit hes still getting used to his new life as a member of the New England Patriots. I think Im a person that is a self-motivator. Newton said that he has no limitations and is full go.For me, the seasons not here yet, Newton said. Ive only been kind of geared toward one particular team and in one particular city, Newton said.

The Dolphins (2-7) have won two straight after a miserable start and earned their first win at Lucas Oil Stadium since 2013. Miami answered with a 48-yard field goal to make it 13-12. The Dolphins capitalized on Hoyer's final interception with another 48-yard field goal. Colts: Hoyer was 18 of 39 with 204 yards and one TD. Colts: Will try to win third straight division game this season when Jacksonville visits next Sunday.

"It's good to be sitting at 4-4," Tomlin said after the Steelers held on to beat the Indianapolis Colts 26-24 on Sunday. "We know he's a great kicker," Steelers defensive end Cam Heyward said. The Steelers had blocked an extra point attempt by Vinatieri in the third quarter. "It was great to beat that team," Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree said. FITZPATRICK STRIKES AGAINThe Steelers paid a hefty price in September when they traded a 2020 first-round pick to Miami for Fitzpatrick.

He caught scoring passes from Brian Hoyer and Jarrett Stidham in the second quarter and finished with six catches for 69 yards. The Lions didnt cross midfield until the latter half of the fourth quarter, when they finally drove for a field goal. The nadir for the Lions may have come late in the second quarter, when David Fales was sacked on back-to-back plays, bringing up third-and-33. INJURIESPatriots: TE Matt LaCosse walked off gingerly in the second quarter. DT Darius Kilgo was helped off in the second quarter.