Earlier this week, with the news that the Patriots could be without quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, we were introduced to the backup to the backup, rookie third-rounder Jacoby Brissett.

The Patriots are currently Tom Brady-less for the first month of the season because ... well, we're still not certain, though the NFL will tell you it's because of his involvement in Deflategate. In Brady's absence, the plan was to start Garoppolo, and for six quarters, things couldn't have gone better. The third-year quarterback went into Arizona and helped beat the Cardinals in Week 1, and he was lighting up the Dolphins last Sunday before he was sidelined with a shoulder injury.

And while coach Bill Belichick won't rule Garoppolo out for Thursday's get-together with the Texans, it's looking like Brissett will make his first NFL start.

"Jacoby's done a great job taking advantage of his opportunity," Brady said Monday in a radio interview. "He went in there [Sunday] and showed a lot of poise. ... I know our coaching staff will have him prepared and ready to go if he's called upon."

So now the question becomes, who is Brissett's backup?

With Brady out, the Patriots only have two quarterbacks on the roster, and it doesn't look like they'll sign anyone, even if Garoppolo doesn't dress this week. Should, God forbid, Brissett go down, the next man up would be ... wide receiver Julian Edelman, who played quarterback at Kent State.

"If [Brissett is injured] I'd expect Julian to go in there and the coaches to be comfortable with the plays they're calling for him," Brady said. "He still talks about that touchdown pass he threw against Baltimore a few years ago."

Ah yes, that touchdown, which game in a playoff game against the Ravens in January of 2015:

New England overcame a 14-point deficit to beat Baltimore, and after the game Brady had this to say about Edelman's quarterbackin' skills: "He throws it better than I did. He spun it. It was a perfect spiral right in stride. I've gotta make some rules that he can't throw it better than I can, but he did. It was pretty sweet."

Belichick was slightly less effusive: "The double pass? We passed it to Edelman, and Edelman passed it to Amendola."

That lack of enthusiasm continues (shocking, we know); Belichick was asked about Julian Edleman, NFL quarterback, on Wednesday:

So what was Edelman, college quarterback, like? Before enrolling at Kent State, he spent a year at the College of San Mateo, where he threw for 1,312 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushed for another 1,235 yards and 17 scores. Then, in three seasons at Kent State (31 games), he threw for 4,997 yards, 30 touchdowns and 31 interceptions, and rushed for 2,483 yards and 22 touchdowns.

Edelman was never considered an NFL quarterback prospect, but his size and speed drew comparisons to Antwaan Randle El, the former Hoosiers passer who excelled as a slot receiver in Pittsburgh and Washington. In fact, Edelman's scouting report included terms like "too small, unconventional," "position: undetermined," "unknown as wide receiver," "perhaps just a camp arm to give wide receivers more work," and "unlikely Edelman is being brought to New England to make an impact."

Given how well Garoppolo played with Brady on forced vacation, we fully expect Brissett to do the same. And if it comes down to Edelman getting snaps, there's little reason to believe he won't be successful too. In fact, we wouldn't be surprised if Belichick stepped on the field and threw for 300 yards and a couple touchdowns.