NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS NEWS

Jacoby Brissett - To open preseason as starter Coach Jerod Mayo said Tuesday that the plan is for Brissett to start Thursday's preseason opener against the Panthers, Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston reports.

Impact Mayo said "everyone who is healthy enough to play in the game, will play," per Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site, so Brissett figures to have command of the full first-team offensive unit. New England's starters likely won't play more than a few series, and Brissett could have a further cap on his reps if the team also wants rookie third-overall pick Drake Maye to also get some work in with the first-team unit. Albert Breer of SI.com reports that Brissett has shown out as the best quarterback throughout training camp, so the veteran remains the favorite to start Week 1 under center, though Maye has quietly also shown progress.

AUGUST 6 • ROTOWIRE

Drake Maye - To play in preseason opener Coach Jerod Mayo said Tuesday that Maye will play in Thursday's preseason contest against the Panthers, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports.

Impact Maye has spent training camp working behind veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who remains the favorite to open the 2024 campaign as New England's starter. The rookie No. 3 overall pick has reportedly had an up-and-down camp, but Albert Breer of SI.com reports that many of those struggles can be attributed to working with the second-string O-line, and that Maye has nonetheless impressed the coaching staff with his vision. Brissett figures to start Thursday's exhibition matchup, but it will be interesting to see whether Maye also gets a chance to work with the first-team offense.

AUGUST 6 • ROTOWIRE

Jake Andrews - Done for the year The Patriots placed Andrews (undisclosed) on injured reserve Monday, ending his 2024 season.

Impact Andrews began training camp on the active/PUP list, and he didn't ultimately get a chance to practice before being shut down with an undisclosed injury. In the wake of this transaction, veteran David Andrews figures to step up as New England's starting center, and the team's depth grows thinner along the interior of the offensive line.

AUGUST 5 • ROTOWIRE

Patriots edge rusher Matthew Judon practices with team, discusses contract situation

Matthew Judon spoke to reporters on Monday at training camp about his hope to get a new contract from the New England Patriots

AUGUST 5 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Panthers dealing with injuries to top 2 draft picks, backup QB Andy Dalton before preseason opener

The Carolina Panthers will be without their top two draft picks and backup quarterback Andy Dalton as they prepare for their preseason opener on Thursday night at the New England P...

AUGUST 5 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

2024 NFL odds: Drake Maye struggles in camp; Brissett favored to start

Recent reports out of Patriots camp suggest a rollercoaster performance from Drake Maye. With that, Jacoby Brissett has become an even heavi...

AUGUST 5

Tyrone Wheatley Jr. - Reverts to IR Wheatley (undisclosed) reverted to the Patriots' injured reserve list Saturday after clearing waivers, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Impact Wheatley was waived by the Patriots on Friday with an unspecified injury. He will now be forced to miss the entire 2024 season unless an injury settlement is reached between the offensive lineman and New England. Wheatley appeared in two regular-season games with the Patriots in 2023, but he ended the year on injured reserve due to a knee injury.

AUGUST 3 • ROTOWIRE

2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame Roundtable: Eli Manning deserving? Marshawn Lynch?

The FOX NFL writers weigh in on next year's HOF ballot, including debates on Eli Manning and Marshawn Lynch, top returning candidates, the l...

AUGUST 3

Kellen Diesch - Joins Patriots New England signed Diesch on Friday, per the team's official site.

Impact Diesch spent last season on Pittsburgh's practice squad and was waived in May of this year. Cleveland subsequently claimed him off waivers, but he was released shortly thereafter after failing a physical. Diesch is presumably now healthy and will look to compete for a depth role along the Patriots' offensive line during training camp.

AUGUST 3 • ROTOWIRE

Bailey Zappe has gone from Patriots' starting QB to competing for a roster spot

The only quarterback on the Patriots’ roster to have started a game for New England over the past two seasons is something of a forgotten man at this year’s training camp

AUGUST 2 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

DeMario Douglas - Back in non-contact jersey As Friday's practice progressed, Douglas returned to wearing a red (non-contact) jersey, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Impact During the early portion of the session, Douglas worked without the red jersey, but it appears as though the wideout continues to exercise caution with what he has described as a minor hand injury. With that in mind, Douglas' Week 1 status is in no apparent danger, but it remains to be seen if he'll take the field in Thursday's preseason opener against the Panthers.

AUGUST 2 • ROTOWIRE

DeMario Douglas - Sheds non-contact jersey Douglas (hand) no longer sported a red (non-contact) jersey during Friday's practice, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Douglas had been practicing with a red jersey due to what he described as a minor hand injury, but the 2023 sixth-rounder appears to have moved past the issue. As the coming season approaches, Douglas is expected to maintain a steady role in a crowded Patriots WR corps that parted ways with DeVante Parker this offseason but added 2024 second-round pick Ja'Lynn Polk and fourth-rounder Javon Baker, along with veteran free agent K.J. Osborn. Meanwhile, Kendrick Bourne continues to bounce back from a knee injury and returnees JuJu Smith-Schuster, Jalen Reagor, Tyquan Thornton and Kayshon Boutte are also competing for slotting. While there's plenty to sort out in the coming weeks, Douglas nonetheless figures to be a key target for whichever QB ( Jacoby Brissett or Drake Maye) is behind center for the team.

AUGUST 2 • ROTOWIRE

The most memorable near misses and close calls in sports history

Gordon Hayward announced his retirement on Thursday, with his missed heave in the 2010 national title game being one of the most memorable c...

AUGUST 1

Several QB competitions going on in NFL training camps, including Raiders battle, Steelers rivalry

Aidan O'Connell and Gardner Minshew are locked in an even battle to become the Las Vegas Raiders starting quarterback

AUGUST 1 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Edge rusher Matthew Judon returns to Patriots practice

With defensive tackle Davon Godchaux becoming the latest player to agree to a new deal with the New England Patriots, the focus turns to edge rusher Matthew Judon and whether he an...

AUGUST 1 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Matthew Judon - Back at practice Judon returned to practice Thursday, Eric Edholm of the Patriots' official site reports.

Impact Judon had a heated exchange with head coach Jerod Mayo on Monday and is also known to be looking for a new contract. However, the two sides appear to have put the dispute in the rearview mirror for now. According to Mayo, the two had a conversation, stating, "I have a great relationship with Matthew, I have a great relationship with the players. But we're moving forward and trying to work it out."

AUGUST 1 • ROTOWIRE

2024 NFL Power Rankings: Where every team stands entering the preseason

With the 2024 preseason kicking off, David Helman sorts out the NFL's hierarchy coming out of the offseason.

AUGUST 1

Davon Godchaux - Inks extension with New England The Patriots signed Godchaux to a two-year extension worth up to $21 million Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Impact The veteran defensive lineman has impressed over his last three seasons in New England, and he's now received his proper compensation. Godchaux appeared in 17 games in 2023 and tallied 56 total tackles for a Patriots defense that ranked third in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game (93.2 yards). The 29-year-old will receive $16.5 million in guaranteed money from 2025-2026, and he's expected to remain a stalwart on a stellar New England defense for years to come.

JULY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Javon Baker - Strong training camp start Baker and fellow rookie Ja'Lynn Polk have made their mark through the Patriots' first six training camp practices, according to Evan Lazar of the team's official site.

Impact With Kendrick Bourne recovering from a knee injury that could limit him early on this season and DeVante Parker no longer in the mix, targets are up for grabs in New England's wide receiver corps this coming season. Baker -- who the team took in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft -- has made some highlight-reel plays in camp, per Lazar and the UCF product has a chance to contribute as a rookie if he can parlay his big-play potential into a steady role early on. Such an outcome appears plausible, with slotting in a WR corps that will continue to feature DeMario Douglas and also includes K.J. Osborn, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Jalen Reagor and Tyquan Thornton still to be determined.

JULY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Ja'Lynn Polk - Pushing for key role as rookie Polk and fellow rookie and Javon Baker have been "as advertised" through six training camp practices, according to Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site.

Impact Lazar notes that Polk, who the Patriots took in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, has been featured out of the gate with other regulars in the team's offense as a reliable underneath target. With Kendrick Bourne recovering from a knee injury that could limit him early on this season, Polk would appear to have a path toward becoming an immediate contributor in New England's passing game as a rookie. Whether that translates to fantasy relevance from the get-go hinges on what sort of volume the Washington product sees in an attack that could lean to the run, but as the season progresses Polk could emerge as key pass-catcher for whichever QB ( Jacoby Brissett or Drake Maye) is behind center.

JULY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Rhamondre Stevenson - Could benefit from new offense Stevenson believes that he will benefit from the outside zone scheme for Patriots running backs that new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt is implementing this season, Mark Dani...

Impact Stevenson notes that Van Pelt's scheme is the same one he worked in while in college at Oklahoma, with New England's lead back adding, "outside zone, you see everything a lot better. The o-line still has to work very, very hard and you have to be on your tracks, but it's kind of you hit what you see. You make your cut when you think you're ready and it's ultimately up to you." As the coming campaign approaches, Stevenson -- who was slowed by injuries last season -- is healthy and looks rejuvenated, according to Daniels. While working in a scheme that he's comfortable in, and with the Patriots likely to lean heavily on the run with the team transitioning at the QB position, Stevenson could be poised for a bounce-back in 2024, as the focal point of a backfield that's been bolstered by free agent addition Antonio Gibson.

JULY 31 • ROTOWIRE