After close to two full weeks of training-camp practices, the Patriots will finally commence their preseason slate on Thursday when they host the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. Kick-off is slated for 7 p.m.
As is tradition with most preseason openers, it’s expected that Mac Jones and a number of other expected starters will not play against Houston.
But even if Bill Belichick and his staff might be digging deeper into the Patriots’ roster on Thursday, there is still plenty to keep tabs on as the competition to make the 53-man roster ramps up in the coming weeks.