FOXBORO — Patriots backup quarterback Bailey Zappe took the majority of reps in an initial passing drill during the media-access portion of practice Wednesday.

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Undrafted rookie receiver/quarterback Malik Cunningham also threw during the drill that involved wide receivers and tight ends. Mac Jones did not take a single rep, and instead stood behind the quarterbacks with newly re-signed practice-squad veteran Will Grier.

In previous practices, Jones took the first reps during this drill and was heavily involved. Last Sunday, Jones was benched for the fourth time this season in a 10-7 loss to the Giants. Zappe took over and led the Patriots’ only touchdown drive of the game to start the second half, but later threw a critical fourth-quarter interception.

He finished 9-of-14 for 54 yards and a pick.

Bill Belichick declined to announce a starting quarterback during his Wednesday morning press conference.

Asked what Zappe must do to earn a start amid Jones’ struggles, Belichick said: “Every player, whatever opportunities they have, need to do the best with them that they can — practice, games, even in meetings and other preparation opportunities. So, that’s what a player can do – be prepared, do the best he can, and that’s what each guy will have an opportunity to do somewhere along the line over the course of a long season.”

Bailey Zappe and Malik Cunningham were the only QBs to throw passes during a drill with WRs and TEs during the media-access portion of #Patriots practice.

Mac Jones stood behind them. pic.twitter.com/v42bev1Rvr

— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) November 29, 2023

As for Cunningham, the undrafted rookie has taken the majority of his practice reps at wide receiver since serving as the Patriots’ only backup quarterback during a Week 6 loss at Las Vegas. Offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien revealed Tuesday the rookie has only taken a few reps as the scout-team quarterback since then. Belichick declined to offer specifics about Cunningham’s usage Wednesday.

“He’s not the only (quarterback) out there,” Belichick said. “It depends a little bit on the offense that we’re seeing. So, if we are seeing offenses run plays that he’s very good at running, teams like Philadelphia, the first Miami game, then you know, he gets — I mean they’re practice squad reps but they’re also reps on things that he does. So, he’s kind of a unique player.

“Things aren’t so straight-lined with him. He’s different than probably every other player that we have on the team. So, he’s handled a little differently.”

The Patriots have cut Cunningham twice this season, once in late August and again after the loss at Las Vegas. The Patriots also cut Zappe at the end of the preseason, before re-signing him to their practice squad and later their active roster.