GREEN BAY, Wisconsin — New England Patriots quarterback Brian Hoyer, who started in place of the injured Mac Jones, was thrown out of Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers in the second series after suffering a hard hit to a sack.
Hoyer was evaluated for a head injury and early in the second quarter the team announced he would not be returning.
Rookie Bailey Zappe, the fourth-round pick from Western Kentucky, took over for Hoyer.
The Patriots have no other quarterbacks on their 53-man roster. One of their contingency options, receiver Jakobi Meyers, is out for Sunday’s game with a knee injury.
During the game, Hoyer was injured, Packers linebacker Rashan Gary charged off the ledge against right tackle Isaiah Wynn and rammed the 36-year-old QB.
Hoyer went into the hinged blue medical tent on the sidelines and after about five minutes exited the tent and went to the locker room for further evaluation. Hoyer had directed a 10-play, 56-yard opening drive that culminated in a 37-yard field goal to give the Patriots an early 3-0 lead.
He played in place of Jones, who sustained a severe left ankle sprain at the end of a Week 3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Hoyer wasn’t the only player to leave the game with an injury as tight end Jonnu Smith hobbled off the field late in the second quarter and headed to the dressing room for assessment. It is questionable whether he will return with an ankle injury.
Also on Sunday, Packers safety Adrian Amos was out in the first half with a concussion.
ESPN’s Rob Demovsky contributed to this report.