First quarter, 2:33, Bears 11-0: We’re 12 minutes deep into this game, and the Patriots have run three offensive plays.
The Patriots’ defense let up a 34-yard run to Jeremy Langford on a nice play fake by Cutler, who handed the ball off but rolled out of the pocket like it was a bootleg pass.
Langford ran the ball in for a 5-yard touchdown, then the Patriots let up a two-point conversion.
First quarter, 7:43, Bears 3-0: The Patriots went three and out after two carries by LeGarrette Blount and a drop by Aaron Dobson.
First quarter, 8:59, Bears 3-0: The Bears settled for a field goal after a penalty-plagued drive to start the game. Jay Cutler was 5 of 6 for 63 yards. Patriots cornerback Justin Coleman gave up 49 of those yards. He drew a tough assignment to start, lining up across from Alshon Jeffery.
First quarter, 15:00: The Bears won the toss and chose to receive. The Patriots will kick to start the game.
8 p.m.: Here’s the starting offense, per pregame announcements:
WR Chris Hogan
LT Nate Solder
LG Joe Thuney
C David Andrwes
RG Josh Kline
RT Marcus Cannon
TE Martellus Bennett
WR Aaron Dobson
RB Tyler Gaffney
RB LeGarrette Blount
QB Jimmy Garoppolo
7:37 p.m.: It appears Brady will not play tonight. He was walking to the player parking lot in dress clothes, according to our own Gary Striewski.
7:32 p.m.: Here’s who was not on the field for the Patriots during warmup, which usually indicates they won’t play:
WR Julian Edelman
QB Tom Brady
WR Malcolm Mitchell
CB Logan Ryan
RB D.J. Foster
RB Dion Lewis
RB Donald Brown
TE Bryce Williams
WR Danny Amendola
WR Keshawn Martin
TE Rob Gronkowski
DE Rob Ninkovich
DE Shea McClellin
G Tre’ Jackson
G Jonathan Cooper
G Shaq Mason
OT Sebastian Vollmer
DE Jabaal Sheard
DT Alan Branch
Bill Belichick said Tom Brady will play tonight, but team president Jonathan Kraft said he doesn’t believe he will.
5:37 p.m.: Alan Branch told teammates he’s been suspended.
4:49 p.m.: It appears WR Danny Amendola, CB Logan Ryan, ST/WR Matthew Slater, DE Rob Ninkovich, LB/DE Shea McClellin and S/ST Nate Ebner won’t play tonight.
Also, Dion Lewis still exists. So, that’s positive news.
4:35 p.m.: Looking for some pregame reading? Check out five positional battles to watch tonight.
Looking for pregame listening? Check out our Bears-Patriots preview podcast with the Chicago Tribune’s Dan Wiederer.
4:30 p.m.: I have arrived at Gillette Stadium for tonight’s game. Kickoff is in 3 1/2 hours.
3 p.m.: Tom Brady will play against the Bears tonight, a source told the Boston Herald’s Jeff Howe on Thursday afternoon. Brady will start the game, CSNNE.com’s Tom E. Curran reported Thursday.
It’s likely Jimmy Garoppolo will play the majority of the first half, however, before handing over the reins to rookie Jacoby Brissett.
12:45 p.m. ET: We still don’t know whether quarterback Tom Brady will play tonight, but it seems we will see the preseason debut of another key member of the New England Patriots’ offense against the Chicago Bears.
Brady is expected to receive “little to no snaps” against the Bears, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported Thursday afternoon. Wide receiver Chris Hogan, however, shed his red non-contact jersey this week and looks primed to play against the Bears after sitting out last week against the New Orleans Saints.
We also could see wide receiver Julian Edelman, who was a full participant in practice Tuesday and Wednesday. It might be smart to hold Edelman out of the preseason altogether, however, as a precautionary measure. Linebacker Jonathan Freeny and defensive tackles Anthony Johnson and Frank Kearse also could suit up after sitting out last week.
Here’s a projected injury report for Thursday’s game:
OUT (didn’t practice Wednesday)
RB Dion Lewis (PUP)
G Tre’ Jackson (PUP)
WR Danny Amendola (PUP)
OT Sebastian Vollmer (PUP)
G Jonathan Cooper
TE Rob Gronkowski
DE Jabaal Sheard
DE Shea McClellin
DOUBTFUL (limited in practice Wednesday)
WR Malcolm Mitchell
DE Rob Ninkovich
WR Keshawn Martin
RB D.J. Foster
RB Donald Brown
TE Bryce Williams
S Nate Ebner
CB Logan Ryan (red non-contact jersey)
The Patriots could elect to hold out Edelman, Kearse and Johnson for a second straight week. Tight end Clay Harbor also was banged up in practice this week but returned Wednesday.
The game kicks off at 8 p.m ET and airs locally on WBZ-TV.
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Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images