Pats still hope Jimmy Garoppolo or Jacoby Brissett can play vs. Bills

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett both were present for the start of Tuesday's practice as the New England Patriots remain hopeful that at least one of the injured quarterbacks will be available for Sunday's home game against the Buffalo Bills.

Garoppolo missed Thursday's 27-0 victory against the Houston Texans with a sprained AC joint in his right throwing shoulder, while Brissett, who made his first career NFL start in his place, injured his right thumb in the third quarter and played through it.

Brissett, who had tape around his thumb and wrist Tuesday, seemed amused at the attention reporters were giving him before practice in the locker room, walking by them with a smile and saying, "Never seen so many people looking at my hand." Brissett wasn't made available to reporters.

Meanwhile, Garoppolo also walked through the locker room during the time in which reporters were present, quickly dropping his bag at his locker, grabbing his practice gear and departing without answering any questions. He did not wear a sling to aid his injured shoulder.

The Patriots, who worked out five-year veteran free-agent quarterback T.J. Yates last week, don't have any other players at the quarterback position on their 53-man roster or 10-man practice squad.

The club is practicing Tuesday for the first time since the win against the Texans, with receiver Danny Amendola noting that it felt the club had a "mini bye week." The practice was held in light shoulder pads and shorts, and reporters were present for only the stretching/light warm-up part of the session.

The Patriots, and other teams playing Sunday, won't be required to submit an injury report that details the level of practice participation of players until Wednesday.

New England is looking to improve to 4-0 on Sunday and then will welcome back starting quarterback Tom Brady from a four-game suspension on Oct. 3.