Yahoo Lifestyle QB competition over: Jarrett Stidham won't be 100 percent for a few weeks due to hip injury
If the New England Patriots were truly entertaining a quarterback competition, that’s over now. Jarrett Stidham is dealing with a hip injury and won’t be 100 percent for a few weeks, according to Michael Giardi of NFL Network.
Stidham, 24, reportedly went to the hospital on Thursday for tests on his leg, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Those tests came back negative.
Patriots’ QB Jarrett Stidham was taken to a local hospital on Thursday for precautionary tests on his upper leg that came back negative, per league sources. Stidham returned to the team this morning and went through practice Friday, though with a lighter load than usual.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 21, 2020
The Patriots, no longer favorites to win the AFC East at BetMGM, will take things slowly with Stidham. While he was at practice Friday, Stidham took on “a lighter load than usual,” according to Schefter.
Cam Newton will likely start for Patriots
Stidham’s injury opens the door for Cam Newton to take over as the team’s starter. That always felt like the most probable outcome considering Newton’s status as a former MVP, but a rumor emerged that the team could utilize a two-quarterback platoon in 2020.
That rumor felt speculative, as Newton, 31, has a lengthy history of being an excellent quarterback. He’s won an MVP, made the All-Pro team and is a three-time Pro Bowler. Stidham has thrown four regular season passes.
Cam Newton looking to bounce back after injury
While Newton has been great in the past, his health is a question. Newton is coming off a foot injury that wrecked him in 2019. Newton was limited to just two games. He struggled mightily in those games, completing 56.2 percent of his passes for zero touchdowns and one interception. Newton has also undergone multiple surgeries on his shoulder.
If fully recovered, Newton should get back to being a standout quarterback. But if Newton’s injuries are still an issue, there could be calls for Stidham once he’s fully back from his hip issue.
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