First quarter, 12:00, Patriots 8-0: Well, that was quick. Jamie Collins picked off Garrett Grayson and returned the interception for a touchdown. Patrick Chung caused the pick by forcing a deflection.
Running back James White carried the ball up the middle for a two-point conversion.
First quarter, 12:10: The Patriots quickly went three and out and punted back to the Saints. Garoppolo completed a 7-yard pass to tight end Martellus Bennett then was sacked on third down. Left tackle Nate Solder gave up the sack.
LeGarrette Blount began the drive with a carry for a 2-yard loss.
First quarter, 14:00: Saints QB Drew Brees completed a deep pass to Brandin Cooks over Patriots cornerback Justin Coleman on the first offensive play of the game. The Patriots forced a turnover two plays later, however, when Jabaal Sheard stripped Mark Ingram, and Cyrus Jones recovered the fumble.
First quarter, 15:00: The Saints won the coin toss and elected to receive. The Patriots will kick off.
7:09 p.m: The Patriots’ starting O-line will be Nate Solder, Joe Thuney, David Andrews, Shaq Mason and Marcus Cannon, based on pregame warmups.
This was the starting defense: Jabaal Sheard, Chris Long, Alan Branch, Malcom Brown, Shea McClellin, Dont’a Hightower, Jamie Collins, Devin McCourty, Patrick Chung, Malcolm Butler and Cyrus Jones.
7 p.m: WR Julian Edelman, QB Tom Brady, WR Chris Hogan, CB Logan Ryan, RB D.J. Foster, RB Dion Lewis, RB Donald Brown, S Nate Ebner, TE Bryce Williams, DE Rob Ninkovich, LB Jonathan Freeny, G Tre’ Jackson, DT Anthony Johnson, G Jonathan Cooper, DT Frank Kearse, OT Sebastian Vollmer, WR Danny Amendola, WR Keshawn Martin are not in uniform tonight.
6:45 p.m.: James White, DeAndre Carter, Cyrus Jones, Chris Harper and V’Angelo Bentley are on the field to practice catching kicks and punts. We’ll likely see Jones get the first crack at punt and kick returns in the game.
Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett also are on the field. Very odd to have a game at Gillette Stadium with no Tom Brady.
6:15 p.m.: Tom Brady won’t be at Gillette Stadium tonight. The Patriots announced he was excused to attend a memorial service for a family member.
5:38 p.m.: Center Bryan Stork is warming up in game pants. Looks like he’ll play, despite his recent injury.
4:50 p.m.: Rookie quarterback Jacoby Brissett and wide receiver DeAndre Carter are the first on the field for the Patriots.
4:30 p.m.: We’re here in Foxboro, and it is a scorcher outside. It’s currently 88 degrees but feels like 96. The Patriots and Saints are going to sweat tonight.
If you’re looking for pregame entertainment, listen to this:
Wide receiver Chris Hogan, cornerback Logan Ryan and special teams captain Matthew Slater won’t play tonight, according to CSNNE’s Mike Giardi.
Many starters won’t play tonight, according to the Boston Herald’s Jeff Howe.
Noon ET: Get ready to see a whole lot of Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett on Thursday night, New England Patriots fans.
The Patriots’ preseason opener against the Saints doesn’t start for another 7 1/2 hours, but we’re pretty excited for it, so why not start the live blog a little early?
Quarterback Tom Brady reportedly is not expected to play tonight against the Saints. Wide receiver Julian Edelman and tight end Rob Gronkowski also will be held out, according to the Boston Herald. Let’s go through the entire list of players you won’t or likely won’t see against the Saints.
OUT:
Brady
Edelman
Gronkowski
RB Dion Lewis (PUP)
WR Danny Amendola (PUP)
G Tre’ Jackson (PUP)
OT Sebastian Vollmer (PUP)
S Nate Ebner (Did not report – Olympics)
DE Rob Ninkovich (didn’t practice Wednesday with torn triceps)
DOUBTFUL:
RB Donald Brown (limited participant in practice)
RB D.J. Foster (limited participant in practice)
WR Chris Hogan (wearing red non-contact jersey)
WR Keshawn Martin (limited participant in practice)
DT Anthony Johnson (limited participant in practice)
DT Frank Kearse (limited participant in practice)
LB Jonathan Freeny (wearing red non-contact jersey)
CB Logan Ryan (wearing red non-contact jersey)
TE Bryce Williams (not practicing)
G Jonathan Cooper (not practicing)
QUESTIONABLE:
RB Brandon Bolden (has intermittently missed practices)
WR Malcolm Mitchell (has intermittently missed practices)
WR Nate Washington (recently returned to full participation in practice)
TE Clay Harbor (began training camp on PUP)
C Bryan Stork (recently returned from concussion)
G Shaq Mason (began training camp on PUP)
DT Alan Branch (began training camp on NFI)
CB Jonathan Jones (suffered a leg injury Wednesday but finished practice)
S Duron Harmon (recently removed red non-contact jersey)
It’s also possible any clear-cut veteran starters, like offensive tackle Nate Solder, linebackers Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins, cornerback Malcolm Butler or safeties Devin McCourty and Patrick Chung won’t play to preserve their health.
Many top players are unlikely to play to the Patriots, but there’s still plenty of reason to watch the game. Here are 10 players to watch closely.
The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET and can be watched nationally on NFL Network and locally on WBZ.
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Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images