Patriots Daily: Preseason Opener Only a Week Away

The New England Patriots have their seventh training camp session today. Despite things just starting, their preseason opener is only seven days away. New England hosts the Carolina Panthers next Thursday (Aug. 8) at 7:00 PM ET.

Ready or not, the NFL preseason kicks off tonight, with the Hall of Fame Game between the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans. Starting quarterbacks Caleb Williams (Bears) and C.J. Stroud (Texans) are not expected to play.

The Patriots are in a new position with their starters in preseason. Teams rest veterans locked into starting jobs in many preseason games, but New England has very few of those on offense. Rhamondre Stevenson, Hunter Henry, and David Andrews are three offensive veterans locked into specific roles in the starting lineup on offense. Mike Onwenu is a lock to start at either right guard (where he’s been practicing) or right tackle. Onwenu is a rest candidate too.

Quarterback Jacoby Brissett will likely start Week 1, but having him get some game reps with his receiving corps is also important.

The defensive side of the ball has more defined roles. New England resting more players from that group is likely. There will be battles for spots at defensive tackle, cornerback, and several reserve roles. Starters elsewhere appear well-established.

Are the New England Patriots ready to take the field against an opponent in a week, even for a preseason exhibition tilt? Stay tuned. Fortunately, the game is against the only team with longer Super Bowl odds than New England, so it’s a chance for the Patriots to emerge with optimism, for both the team and their fans.

Also in Thursday’s Patriots Daily:

Patriots Fact of the Day

The New England Patriots yardage leaders for passing, rushing, and receiving over the past three preseasons:

2021 – Mac Jones, Rhamondre Stevenson, Kristian Wilkerson
2022 – Bailey Zappe, Kevin Harris, Tre Nixon
2023 – Bailey Zappe, Kevin Harris, Kayshon Boutte

Post of the Day

A touchdown run for Kevin Harris last season, the team’s leading rusher the past two preseasons, and the clubhouse leader for the RB3 spot on the 53-man roster (if the New England Patriots keep more than two on the initial roster):

Patriots RB Kevin Harris closes the gap in Foxboro.

📺: #KCvsNE on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/kw7mays4qU pic.twitter.com/CZFxZtlEvP

— NFL (@NFL) December 17, 2023

Kelley: Matthew Judon Putting Patriots in a No-Win Situation – Judon left practice on Monday after sitting on the sideline and having exchanges with head coach Jerod Mayo and team executive Matt Groh. He did not appear at Tuesday’s practice. Now the new regime in New England is in a n0-win situation trying to rectify the situation with their unhappy linebacker.

Training Camp Competition: Patriots Wide Receivers Room – Only three players appear locks to make the 53-man roster out of camp from this group. Will Kendrick Bourne be healthy enough to get activated for Week 1? Do they move on from 2023 free agent signing JuJu Smith-Schuster? What about young wideouts Tyquan Thornton and Kayshon Boutte?

Boston Bruins

Boston Hockey Now – Andrew Fantucchio reports on division rivals threatened by the Boston Bruins. They haven’t brought home a Stanley Cup since 2011 but remain annual championship contenders. See what writers around the division have to say about trying to take down the Bruins.

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