All indications are that Jimmy Garoppolo is a longshot to play Thursday against the Houston Texans.

The short week of preparation doesn't give him much time to recover from the reported AC joint sprain suffered in his throwing shoulder over the weekend. but Bill Belichick isn't about to rule it out.

"Could be, sure," Belichick said when asked whether Garoppolo could be a game-time decision, according to Mike Petraglia of WEEI. "It would depend on the situation. It would depend on a lot of things. It's possible. Sure."

Belichick's comments could prove to be little more than the type of nonchalant deflection for which he's been known when it comes to (not) disclosing injury details.

But the Patriots will be clinging to any hope of the young quarterback suiting up as Tom Brady begins the home stretch of his four-game suspension.

Garoppolo has done more than New England could've asked in two games as a starter, completing 70 percent of his passes for 498 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions while leading the way to a pair of wins.

Third-round rookie Jacoby Brissett would get his first NFL start Thursday if Garoppolo is unable to play. The N.C. State product connected on 6-of-9 pass attempts for 92 yards in relief to close out Sunday's victory over the Miami Dolphins.