Patriots Sunday: Avoiding a 1989 Preseason Scenario Tonight

The New England Patriots preseason finale takes place tonight in Washington. Head coach Jerod Mayo previously stated that everyone healthy will play in the preseason finale. Mayo said the same thing about the preseason opener, but many key veterans did not play. Several players should not play tonight for New England, healthy or not. The risk vs. reward is unnecessary for players with secure roster spots who will not benefit from additional preseason reps.

It was 35 years ago that the New England Patriots’ season got ruined in their final preseason game of 1989. New England was coming off a 9-7 campaign in 1988. John Stephens had won NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year after rushing for 1,168 yards and making the Pro Bowl. Behind their rushing attack and solid defense, they were expected to compete for a playoff spot. But that last exhibition game not only crippled their odds for a playoff spot, it was a start of a downward spiral that lasted for four years.

All-Pro linebacker Andre Tippett, defensive lineman Garin Veris, and starting cornerback Ronnie Lippett were all lost for the season with injuries in that game. Tippett, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, made five straight Pro Bowl appearances before his injury. He never returned afterward. Veris started 36 games in the three seasons before his injury. He would only start six more games for the Patriots after. Lippett started for six seasons before the 1989 game that ended his season. He’d return to play two more after.

Also Read – Health Will Help Dictate New England’s Initial 53-Man Roster

The 2024 New England Patriots do not have the same hopes of success as the team 35 years ago, though it has always been my belief that every team should have hope in preseason. That said, this year’s team is not equipped to deal with the loss of multiple starters going down tonight.

With that in mind, here are some suggestions of Patriots players who should remain on the sideline tonight, healthy or not.

Running Backs (2)

Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson are both locks to make the Patriots roster. There is no need to expose either to potential injury in tonight’s preseason finale. That is especially true for Stevenson, the team’s lead back. New England could keep two running backs on the initial 53-man roster as they did a year ago, but they could also keep more. Getting a longer look at Kevin Harris, JaMycal Hasty, and Terrell Jennings before final cuts is more important than exposing Stevenson and Gibson to potential injury.

Wide Receivers (1)

DeMario Douglas is the one New England Patriots wide receiver locked into a starting spot. Others continue to fight for playing time, even if assured of roster spots. It is also important that the quarterbacks have capable receivers to throw to, especially if it truly is an open competition for the starting spot at QB. As a result, not everyone can sit. But playing Douglas, who suffered two concussions as a rookie in 2023, is an unnecessary risk the team should avoid.

Tight Ends (2)

Hunter Henry remained out of practice this week again and is likely not deemed healthy enough to play. With Henry potentially out to start the season, New England cannot afford anything to happen to Austin Hooper, who looked good against Philadelphia. He should sit as well. There are still four other tight ends of the 90-man roster. Those other options can get snaps and a chance to impress tonight.

Offensive Line (2)

David Andrews and Mike Onwenu do not need to play tonight. Neither veteran is in jeopardy of not starting, though the Patriots still haven’t figured out where to play Onwenu. They have two weeks of practice to figure that out before Week 1. A few extra reps tonight is more risk than reward for Onwenu. Meanwhile, Andrews has looked like the only competent center on the roster. If he goes down the Patriots look like could be in trouble. They also need to figure out who takes his place. Will it be Nick Leverett, who seems to occupy that spot for now? If so, he needs the reps far more than the captain.

Defensive Line (3)

Davon Godchaux, Deatrich Wise Jr., and Keion White have nothing to prove tonight. Godchaux becomes even more indispensable with Christian Barmore out. The defensive ends don’t have enough depth to deal with the loss of Wise or White. Again, this is an opportunity to take a longer look at players fighting for roster spots or starting roles. These three are all locked into their roles and have nothing to gain from playing tonight.

Linebackers (5)

After trading away Matthew Judon, the New England Patriots were shorthanded at outside linebacker. Anfernee Jennings, Joshua Uche, and Oshane Ximines are all solidly on the 53-man roster. Both Uche and Ximines were nursing injuries this past week as well. An injury to any of these players puts New England in a very difficult situation with a lack of depth. There is no need for any of them to play tonight.

On the inside, starters Ja’Whaun Bentley and Jahlani Tavai can both sit out. They are going to start in the middle of the defense and the competition for reserve spots has been impressive in camp. Giving those players additional action tonight is more important than risking injury to either veteran.

Defensive Backs (4)

If health is not a factor, Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Kyle Dugger, and Jabrill Peppers will all start in the Patriots defensive backfield this season. None of them should see the field tonight. The competition for reserve spots at both cornerback and safety is interesting and fierce. Both units have players capable of seeing significant playing time who are fighting just to make the roster. They deserve a chance to show what they can do against the Commanders tonight, while these four  get a night off.

Note: The three New England Patriots players on PUP were not considered for this list: WR Kendrick Bourne, OG Cole Strange, and LB Sione Takitaki.