New England Patriots

After QB Tom Brady accidentally cut his right thumb on a pair of scissors while trying to pry something loose from his cleats,

Jimmy Garoppolo became the surprise starter vs. the Chicago Bears. He took 45 snaps, completing 16 of 21 for 181 yards and a score. “It was a good test, I guess,” Garoppolo said.

Garoppolo wasn’t sacked and looked much sharper than he had in the opening preseason game. “That’s part of football,” coach

Bill Belichick said. “Things happen that are unexpected, and he’s been prepared for that since the day he got here.”

Brady, who’s expected to resume practicing, has been impressed with Garoppolo.

“He does a good job against me all the time,” he said of the understudy who will have to run the show during Brady’s four-game suspension. “He’s a good competitor.” Rookie watch: CB Cyrus Jones, a second-round pick from Alabama, picked off Brian Hoyer’s pass and returned it 14 yards to set up a touchdown. He recovered a fumble in the preseason opener. … LB Kamu Grugier-Hill, a sixth-rounder from Eastern Illinois, has drawn praise from Brady and other veterans. He has played on each of the core special teams

units, an indication he’ll make the team.

Noteworthy: There’s a chance the Patriots might buy more time for RB Dion Lewis to rehab his knee by placing him on the PUP list to start the season. … With six catches for 71 yards and a touchdown, second-year TE AJ Derby made a strong case to be the third tight end behind Rob Gronkow

ski and Martellus Bennett. … RB LeGarrette Blount solidified the starter’s job with 69 yards on 11 carries.