Patriot subs are ready from start

Matt Gutierrez answered the call to return to the Patriots. (STEVEN SENNE/Associated Press)

FOXBOROUGH - Matt Gutierrez was 3,000 miles away in California, pondering his next move in a two-year NFL career that had come to a temporary halt. Kevin O'Connell was at Gillette Stadium, comfortable in his role as the Patriots' quarterback of the future, with no set date for when the future would become the present.

And then the Patriots' world changed when Tom Brady went down with a season-ending left knee injury in New England's 17-10 win over Kansas City last Sunday.

Suddenly, the depth chart at quarterback was shaken up. Backup Matt Cassel moved into the No. 1 role; O'Connell, a third-round draft pick last spring from San Diego State, moved to No. 2; and Gutierrez received the call to head East as the No. 3.

The Patriots will go into tomorrow's game against the New York Jets with their most uncertainty at the position in 16 seasons, dating to the days when the team's quarterback roster consisted of Hugh Millen, Scott Zolak, and Tom Hodson.

Yesterday, as Cassel practiced with the first team, O'Connell went through drills as the backup, an ankle sprain, shoulder separation, or twisted knee away from moving into what has become the most closely examined position in the NFL. And Gutierrez, who rejoined the team Wednesday as a member of the practice squad, was on the verge of being activated.

"That's a possibility," said coach Bill Belichick. "We will talk about those things as we get to the end of the week, probably tonight or tomorrow. We talk to the practice squad guys about being ready to go every week. We have seen plenty of those activations come up on Saturday or the end of the week."

Belichick designated O'Connell as the No. 2 quarterback earlier in the week, which would make Gutierrez - who completed more passes than Cassel or O'Connell during the exhibition season - the third-string (or emergency) quarterback against the Jets.

Despite the fact that O'Connell is a rookie and Gutierrez's career has consisted of appearances in five regular-season games, completing his only pass attempt for 15 yards, Belichick's stance was that all his quarterbacks would be ready to play when called upon.

"I think everyone has to be ready," said Belichick. "Whether you have one guy ahead of you or two guys ahead of you, it's still a player's job to be ready to play in these situations."

O'Connell's credentials in college were so impressive that the Patriots sent offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Josh McDaniels to San Diego to interview O'Connell before the draft. And while O'Connell received ample playing time in the exhibition season as Brady nursed a sore right foot, once the season began he was like any Patriots rookie, seen but not heard, which is why he wasn't comfortable talking about the changes to the quarterback depth chart.

A few lockers down, Gutierrez, who was signed as an undrafted free agent in May 2007, offered some perspective.

"[Injuries are] part of the business," he said. "[They're] part of this game at this level and always a possibility, so it can't be too much of a surprise."

Gutierrez did not see Brady's injury. "I was at home trying to stay in shape and spend some time with my family, which is always nice, and someone told me [about the injury]," said Gutierrez. "I felt terrible for him and all the guys. You never like to see anybody get hurt, plus he's a friend who works so hard to stay in good shape."

When the call came, Gutierrez was ready to return. "I'm just working hard in practice, happy to be back here around the guys," he said. "It's a good situation for me, and hopefully the team sees it that way. I still have a lot to learn and have a good knowledge of what we do."

Gutierrez said he has total faith in Cassel. "Matt can really play, he works hard, and I'm confident that he can get the job done," said Gutierrez. "He really looked good last week."

But Gutierrez, like O'Connell, knows that things can change with one play. "In my brief time," said Gutierrez, "you have to be prepared like you are going to play and be ready if called upon."

So, as the Patriots go about their business without Brady, the backup quarterbacks will continue to prepare, knowing they are one step closer to starring in the main event.

Mark Blaudschun can be reached at blaudschun@globe.com.