So much for Jimmy Garoppolo making a fast return as the quarterback of the New England Patriots.
The team listed Garoppolo, still suffering from a sore right shoulder hurt two weeks ago, as inactive Sunday for the Patriots game against the Buffalo Bills. That gave rookie third-stringer Jacoby Brissett his second consecutive start even after being limited in practice all week while nursing a right thumb injury.
Brissett wore a bandage on his thumb during warmups and struggled as New England converted just 1 of 12 third downs and lost 16-0 at Buffalo.
The Patriots get Tom Brady back from his four-week “Deflategate” suspension next week.
Garoppolo was among the most notable inactives for Week Four in the NFL, joined by Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, who was declared out for the season this week; Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins, who will miss at least eight weeks while recuperating from surgery to his left foot; Baltimore Ravens running back Justin Forsett; and Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, who is inactive for his second consecutive game with a right thumb injury.
The Panthers were without starting running back Jonathan Stewart (hamstring) and starting left tackle Michael Oher (concussion) at Atlanta. Donald Hawkins started for Oher and Fozzy Whittaker started for Stewart.
The Bills also were without running back Reggie Bush and tackle Cyrus Kouandjio, but welcomed back tackle Cordy Glenn after he missed two games with an ankle injury, and cornerback Ronald Darby.
The Patriots were without guard Jonathan Cooper for the fourth straight game with an injured foot, along with cornerback Eric Rowe (ankle), tight end Greg Scruggs and running back D.J. Foster.
The Washington Redskins listed starting cornerback Bashaud Breeland and backup Dashaun Phillips as inactive for their game against the Browns. They said Quinton Dunbar is expected to start in Breeland’s place.
Washington guard Shawn Lauvao also was inactive, with Artie Kouandjio expected to start in his spot.
The Browns inactives included two starters on the offensive line, which caused some position juggling. John Greco, normally the starting center, moved to right guard in place of the injured Alvin Bailey and Austin Reiter started for Greco at center.
Strong safety Ibraheim Campbell also was inactive, replaced by Derrick Kindred.
Besides Forsett, the Ravens were also without running back Kenneth Dixon against the Oakland Raiders, while Oakland was missing safety Nate Allen and three offensive linemen: Menelik Watson, Matt McCants and Austin Howard.
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CLEVELAND AT WASHINGTON
Browns: QB Josh McCown, WR Corey Coleman, DB Tramon Williams Sr., DB Ibraheim Campbell, OL Cameron Erving, TE Seth DeValve, DL Carl Nassib.
Redskins: QB Nate Sudfeld, WR Josh Doctson, CB Bashaud Breeland, CB Dashaun Phillips, OL Vinston Painter, DE Anthony Lanier II, G Shawn Lauvao.
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CAROLINA AT ATLANTA
Panthers: WR Demiere Byrd, CB Teddy Williams, LB Jeremy Cash, DE Larry Webster, RB Jonathan Stewart, LT Michael Oher, DT Vernon Butler.
Falcons: S Dashon Goldson, LB De’Vondre Campbell, LG Mike Person, RG Wes Schweitzer, TE Joshua Perkins, DT Courtney Upshaw.
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TENNESSEE AT HOUSTON
Titans: S Da’Norris Searcy, CB Cody Riggs, DB Curtis Riley, LB Nate Palmer, G Sebastian Tretola, WR Harry Douglas, DL Austin Johnson.
Texans: QB Brandon Weeden, WR Braxton Miller, RB Jonathan Grimes, T Duane Brown, G Oday Aboushi, TE Stephen Anderson, DE Joel Heath.
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DETROIT AT CHICAGO
Lions: WR Aaron Dobson, S Tavon Wilson, CB Adairius Barnes, LB DeAndre Levy, OL Joe Dahl, T Cornelius Lucas, DE Ezekiel Ansah.
Bears: QB Jay Cutler, RB Ka’Deem Carey, DB Deon Bush, RB Jeremy Langford, LB Danny Trevathan, OL Eric Kush, DL Eddie Goldman.
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SEATTLE AT NEW YORK JETS
Seahawks: RB Thomas Rawls, RB C.J. Prosise, DT Jarran Reed, S Tyvis Powell, G Rees Odhiambo, T George Fant, TE Nick Vannett.
Jets: WR Eric Decker, TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins, QB Bryce Petty, QB Christian Hackenberg, WR Jalin Marshall, CB Darryl Roberts, T Brandon Shell
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BUFFALO AT NEW ENGLAND
Bills: WR Sammy Watkins, RB Reggie Bush, OT Cyrus Kouandjio, QB Cardale Jones, WR Greg Salas, C Patrick Lewis, WR Justin Hunter, G Gabe Ikard.
Patriots: QB Jimmy Garoppolo, G Jonathan Cooper, CB Eric Rowe, TE Greg Scruggs, RB D.J. Foster, LB Elandon Roberts. OT LaAdrian Waddle.
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OAKLAND AT BALTIMORE
Raiders: QB Connor Cook, S Nate Allen, RB Taiwan Jones, CB Antonio Hamilton, OT Menelik Watson, OT Matt McCants, OT Austin Howard.
Ravens: RB Justin Forsett, RB Kenneth Dixon, OT Ronnie Stanley, LB Matthew Judon, CB Will Davis, DT Willie Henry.
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DENVER AT TAMPA BAY
Broncos: QB Austin Davis, S Shiloh Keo, CB Lorenzo Doss, G Connor McGovern, T Donald Stephenson, TE Virgil Green, OLB DeMarcus Ware.
Buccaneers: QB Ryan Griffin, WR Cecil Shorts III, RB Doug Martin, T Leonard Wester, PL Caleb Benenoch, TE Luke Stocker, DE Robert Ayers Jr.
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DALLAS AT SAN FRANCISCO
Cowboys: QB Tony Romo, CB Orlando Scandrick, RB Darius Jackson, LB Mark Nzeocha, G La’el Collins, T Tyron Smith, WR Dez Bryant.
49ers: QB Christian Ponder, WR Keshawn Martin, DB Jimmie Ward, DT Tony Jerod-Eddie, OL John Theus, TE Vance McDonald, DT Taylor Hart.
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LOS ANGELES RAMS AT ARIZONA
Rams: WR Pharoh Cooper, QB Sean Mannion, DB Coty Sensabaugh, G Jamon Brown, T Pace Murphy, WR Nelson Spruce, DE William Hayes.
Cardinals: P Drew Butler, CB Brandon Williams, G Cole Toner, DT Olsen Pierre, DT Robert Nkemdiche, DT Frostee Rucker, NT Xavier Williams.
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NEW ORLEANS AT SAN DIEGO
Saints: RB-RS Marcus Murphy, CB Delvin Breaux, LB James Laurinaitis, LB Dannell Ellerbe, C-G Senio Kelemete, T Terron Armstead, TE Josh Hill.
Chargers: CB Brandon Flowers, S Jahleel Addae, C Max Tuerk, T King Dunlap, TE Antonio Gates, NT Ryan Carrethers, DE Joey Bosa.
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