Can New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones play in Week 6 against the Cleveland Browns? Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots is still reluctant to commit to the 24-year-old as a starter, who has been struggling with ankle problems of late. Is it the hour of a rookie?

Munich – Will Patriots quarterback Mac Jones play against the Cleveland Browns in Week 6?

Head coach Bill Belichick is reluctant to commit to a starter so far following Jones’ injury. The 24-year-old Jones – actually the nominal number one – is still struggling with ankle problems.

As an alternative to Jones, the Patriots have veteran Brian Hoyer and rookie fourth-round pick Bailey Zappe on the roster.

New England Patriots: Bill Belichick won’t commit to Mac Jones as a starter

Head coach Bill Belichick certainly won’t commit to a starting quarterback ahead of the Patriots’ game against the Cleveland Browns.

“We’ll see. I don’t know,” Belichick responded to reporters’ questions about Jones’ ankle healing process and the associated hope of a quick return to the football field against the Browns.

So who will lead the Pats onto the field as the starter in Sunday’s away game?

New England Patriots: Will rookie Bailey Zappe start against the Browns?

They’ll wait for practice “and then we’ll see. I’m not going to get into hypothetical what-if situations, that’s a waste of time,” Belichick said.

However, with Mac Jones and his nominal backup, veteran Brian Hoyer, both suffering head injuries against the Green Bay Packers and suspected concussions, rookie Bailey Zappe could once again become the starter.

The 68-year-old head coach has continued to leave that possibility open – or at least not explicitly denied it.

New England Patriots: Rookie quarterback off to decent start

The fact that Zappe appears ready to take on the responsibility of being the starting quarterback in the league despite his rookie status is evident in his performance in the last two games – the first in an NFL regular season for the rookie.

Against the Green Bay Packers, Zappe took the reins in Week 4 following the injury to Jones backup Brian Hoyer, completing 10 of 15 passes for 99 yards and a touchdown in his debut. However, the 23-year-old could not prevent the narrow 24:27 defeat against great Aaron Rodgers.

In the clear 29-0 blowout win against the Detroit Lions a week later, the rookie played from the start for the first time and immediately repaid Belichick’s trust. In the end – besides the convincing victory – Zappe personally completed 17 passes for 188 yards and a passing touchdown.

It should not be forgotten that the rookie also threw an interception in both of his previous games – but Bill Belichick will probably not decide who to trust in this week’s guest game at the Cleveland Browns until shortly before the start of the game.