Jimmy Garoppolo reacts on the field after suffering an injury during the second quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on September 18, 2016. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

BOSTON (CBS) — The Patriots held a walkthrough on the Gillette Stadium practice fields on Tuesday afternoon, but during the time that the media was present, they were missing their starting quarterback.

However, hours later when the team released its injury report, Jimmy Garoppolo was listed as a limited participant. That’s an increased involvement from Monday’s theoretical practice, when the Patriots ruled Garoppolo would not have practiced if the team had indeed held a session.

Garoppolo suffered a shoulder injury in the first half of Sunday’s win over Miami. Reports have varied about his potential availability for Thursday night’s game vs. Houston, with some reports saying he will miss weeks while others have said that the Patriots may be holding on to the hope that he could start on Thursday.

With rookie Jacoby Brissett as the team’s only fully healthy and/or active quarterback at practice, tight end A.J. Derby and wide receiver Chris Hogan were seen warming up as potential scout team QBs by NESN’s Doug Kyed.

TE AJ Derby and WR Chris Hogan both warmed up their arms before practice and had towels on their waists. Likely the scout-team QBs. — Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) September 20, 2016

Derby played quarterback for two years in college before making the switch to tight end. He threw just six passes at Iowa before transferring to Arkansas, where he completed 19 of his 36 passes (52.8 percent) for 178 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Hogan has proven versatile in his past, playing on both sides of the ball during his collegiate football career, which came after he had played lacrosse at Penn State.

Regarding Garoppolo, it’s fair to assume that the Patriots’ lack of free agent signings at the QB position indicates that the team believes Garoppolo will at the very least be able to suit up Thursday as an emergency backup.

Also of note at Tuesday’s practice was the presence of Dont’a Hightower, who was wearing a brace on his injured knee. Rob Gronkowski was also present.

Cornerback Eric Rowe did not participate, while Hightoer, Gronkowski, Trey Flowers, Jonathan Cooper and Jonathan Freeny were listed as limited participants.