FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots plan to have quarterback Tom Brady sit out Thursday night's preseason opener against the New Orleans Saints, a source tells ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, as Jimmy Garoppolo will get the start.
A source also told ESPN that Brady is one of several top players not expected to play, a group that is expected to include tight end Rob Gronkowski and receivers Julian Edelman and Chris Hogan, among others.
With Brady serving a four-game suspension to open the season as part of the NFL's Deflategate penalties, Patriots coach Bill Belichick said on July 27 that the team's priority is to get Garoppolo ready for the start of the season and that Brady would be the starter upon his return Oct.