The New England Patriots’ preseason opener didn’t offer much in the way of star power, and that was the point. With most of the starters sitting out in Thursday’s 13-13 tie against the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium, the spotlight landed on the players fighting to stay relevant when roster cuts arrive three weeks from now.
That makes snap counts worth a close look. In a game like this, every rep can hint at how Mike Vrabel and his staff are sorting out the bottom of the roster.
At quarterback, each passer handled one half. In the backfield, Larison and Miller soaked up most of the work.
The wide receiver group was more fluid, with eight different players getting on the field. The biggest note there was the expanded roles for Rizy and Butler, who stepped in for the injured Brown and Rupcich.
Defensively, several players made the most of their chances. Jacobs, Swinson, Crossley, Saunders and Britt all stood out in their opportunities, and the Patriots also forced four turnovers - interceptions by Vildor and Saunders, plus forced fumbles from Pharms and Britt - to give the team something to build on in terms of taking the ball away.
One thing that stood out was how little defensive work Luketa and Dial got. Both are the kind of players who could still carve out roster spots if the numbers break right, so the limited usage was notable.
Special teams may end up being the cleanest path for many of these fringe players, but Thursday wasn’t a great showcase there. Borregales missed three field goals, and the kick return operation wasn’t as sharp as it needed to be. Still, DeGennaro on kick returns, Larison on kick returns and Prentice on punt returns each handled the ball well enough to hold their own.
In Other News...
Patriots Suddenly Have A Real RB Roster Battle To Watch
Hassan Haskins has turned a late opportunity into a real training camp storyline for the Patriots, working his way into the mix for a backup running back job after arriving as a free agent. He has already taken part in the preseason opener and has been practicing with the team, giving New England a closer look at a player who has spent time with the Titans and Chargers and is trying to show he can be more than just emergency depth.
What makes Haskins interesting is that he is not only trying to earn a place in the backfield, but also helping out on special teams, which often matters just as much when rosters get trimmed. For a Patriots team sorting through the bottom of the running back chart, that kind of versatility can keep a player in the conversation a little longer, even if the final decision is still very much in flux. [Read more 🡒]
Drake Maye Just Turned Patriots Roster Cuts Into A Real Debate
The Patriots have built a wide receiver room that suddenly looks hard to trim, with A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs penciled in as the top starters and Kayshon Boutte still expected to matter even as trade rumors continue to swirl around him. As the 2026 season approaches, the usual roster math is getting a lot trickier, because there are more viable options than there are obvious cuts.
Drake Maye has only added to the debate by backing the current group and floating the idea that New England could carry seven receivers, which would be unusual. It is the kind of comment that says as much about his leadership as it does about the roster, since he seems focused on keeping the room together and preserving a positive atmosphere while the team sorts out a decision that will not be easy. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Offensive Line Battle Just Took Another Early Turn
The Patriots offensive line picture kept shifting this week, and it did so in a way that underscored how quickly the bottom of the roster can change in August. In the wake of the preseason opener against the Colts, the teams roster churn included a series of moves that came alongside the usual run of press conference notes, game takeaways and early projections about who might stick and who might be on the outside looking in.
One of the more notable developments was the addition of two first-year offensive linemen, a reminder that New England is still sorting through depth and competition up front. The same set of transactions also cleared room elsewhere on the roster, with a long snapper let go and a guard moved to injured reserve, leaving the Patriots with even more questions to answer as the preseason keeps moving. [Read more 🡒]