If the Patriots’ last follow on Tuesday earlier than their preseason finale towards the Giants is any indication, don’t count on to see many – or any – of the starters Thursday evening.
Quarterback Drake Maye and the remainder of the starters obtained a heavy workload in Tuesday’s follow, ending off the session with sprints. Up to now, the third preseason recreation was one final likelihood for starters to see the sport area earlier than the beginning of the common season. Now, with a shortened preseason and a rise in joint practices, the third preseason recreation is an opportunity for gamers on the roster bubble to show they deserve a spot.
Listed below are 10 assorted ideas earlier than Thursday’s third and last preseason recreation:
- The next gamers didn’t practice Monday or Tuesday this week: working again Terrell Jennings, huge receivers Javon Baker, Kendrick Bourne, Efton Chism III, Ja’Lynn Polk and Kyle Williams, tight finish/fullback Jack Westover, linebackers Cam Riley and Jahlani Tavai, outdoors linebacker Anfernee Jennings and cornerback Christian Gonzalez. It will be a shock to see a lot of these gamers go well with up towards the Giants, although ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported that Baker, who’s preventing for a spot on the roster as a possible seventh huge receiver, is making the journey.
- Amongst that record of gamers, Terrell Jennings, Baker, Bourne, Polk, Westover, Riley and Anfernee Jennings nonetheless look like preventing for roster spots. Bourne and Polk now have been injured for weeks and could possibly be injured reserve candidates. Tavai has barely practiced all summer time regardless of passing a bodily earlier than coaching camp. He could possibly be one other IR candidate.
- It’s a giant evening for third-string quarterback Ben Wooldridge. The undrafted QB out of Louisiana was an afterthought throughout spring practices, however he’s really had a stable summer time in his restricted follow reps. In two preseason video games, Wooldridge has accomplished 16-of-25 passes for 187 yards with a landing. There’s worth in maintaining a 3rd quarterback on the roster, particularly one like Wooldridge who has spent a lot time within the offense this summer time. If the Patriots do maintain a 3rd QB, nonetheless, it will come on the expense of depth at one other place like huge receiver, offensive line, outdoors linebacker or within the defensive backfield. If Wooldridge continues to impress in Thursday evening’s recreation, the Patriots must weigh the danger that he may claimed on waivers earlier than signing him to the follow squad.
- It will be sensible for the Patriots to get one last lengthy have a look at the offensive linemen competing for roster spots. It seems that tackles Demontrey Jacobs, Vederian Lowe and Jack Conley, guards Mekhi Butler, Layden Robinson, Tyrese Robinson, Sidy Sow and Caedan Wallace, middle Alec Lindsrom and guard/middle Cole Unusual are vying for 2 or three spots behind middle Garrett Bradbury, middle/guard Ben Brown and Jared Wilson, guard Mike Onwenu and tackles Will Campbell, Morgan Moses and Marcus Bryant. Out of the group of 10 roster bubble gamers, we see the actual competitors between Jacobs and Lowe and Sow, Wallace and Unusual. That might be our beginning offensive line group on Thursday evening with each Lowe at Jacobs rotating at each deal with spots, Wallace at left guard, Sow at proper guard and Unusual at middle. Unusual additionally ought to see some reps at guard with Lindstrom at middle. It’s just a little stunning that definitive winners haven’t emerged from these teams but.
- If Anfernee Jennings performs Thursday evening, then his snaps are actually value monitoring since he’s performed deep into two preseason video games. Security Kyle Dugger is in the same boat. If he’s nonetheless on the market within the fourth quarter, then his days could possibly be numbered on this roster.
- Extra gamers we haven’t talked about who may gain advantage of their last gameday push for a roster spot: tight finish Cole Fotheringham, linebacker Marte Mapu, cornerbacks Kobee Minor and Jordan Polk, and safties Dell Pettus and Marcus Epps. Fotheringham hung out with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels on the Raiders and can seemingly see motion at fullback. Mapu nonetheless brings athletic potential in his transition from security to linebacker. Minor was the ultimate decide within the 2025 NFL Draft and has bought his fingers on the ball in protection. Polk bought shoutouts from Campbell and head coach Mike Vrabel this week. He’s a reserve nickel again who may doubtlessly steal a spot on the roster as a further defender and particular teamer.
- One final recreation for kickers Andres Borregales and Parker Romo to battle it out earlier than Tuesday’s cuts. Romo has been higher in video games – he hit a 57-yard area purpose whereas Borregales shanked his try. However Borregales was drafted, and Romo wasn’t. They’ve been fairly equal in camp. The ball does appear to come back off of Romo’s foot higher at instances.
- Some names and numbers to bear in mind, since you’ll seemingly see a number of them on offense: Wooldridge, 17, working again Micah Bernard (No. 22), working again Shane Watts (No. 30), huge receiver John Jiles (No. 83), huge receiver Phil Lutz (No. 16), huge receiver Jeremiah Webb (No. 29). Jiles and Webb are longshots for roster spots, however they’re stable, reliable targets for Wooldridge and will land follow squad spots.
- Bernard and Lutz had been simply signed this week. The Patriots additionally added defensive deal with Philip Blidi (No. 55) on Tuesday.
- Only a thought: Would Vrabel use the ultimate preseason recreation to let another person deal with play-calling duties? Invoice Belichick did one thing related in 2017, permitting Chad O’Shea to name offensive performs and Brian Flores to deal with defensive coordinator duties. The highest candidates can be tight ends coach Thomas Brown and inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr. Then once more, Vrabel may determine that McDaniels and defensive coordinator Terrell Williams nonetheless want their very own follow.
