News

Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com shares a list of players that he doesn't expect to see on the playing field for tonight's preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The list is based on practice participation over the last two days and includes: S Will Allen, S Patrick Chung, WR Jabar Gaffney, OT Matt Kopa, TE Visanthe Shiancoe, DB Ross Ventrone, OT Sebastian Vollmer, DL Gerard Warren, WR Wes Welker, and LB Tracy White. "Meanwhile, TE Jake Ballard and DL Myron Pryor remain on the physically unable to perform list, while OT Markus Zusevics remains on the non-football injury list," adds Reiss.

Shalise Manza Young of The Boston Globe notes that the start time for the Patriots-Giants preseason game on Wednesday, August 29 has been moved from 7:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The game, which will be played at MetLife Stadium, will be the preseason finale for the Patriots.

Jeff Howe of The Boston Herald highlights Patriots' players who may be making their preseason debut in tonight's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The players include CB Alfonzo Dennard, FB Spencer Larsen, G Logan Mankins, TE Daniel Fells, and RB Jeff Demps. Howe notes that Sebastian Vollmer is unlikely to play.

Tom E. Curran of CSNNE.com writes that there was nothing evident to suggest why Patriots WR Wes Welker missed practice on Thursday in Tampa. "The Patriots make a habit of managing their key players' repetitions during camp and the chance exists Welker is merely having his work managed," notes Curran. "But given the team was working in shells in advance of Friday's game and the workload wasn't heavy, we have to consider Welker's chances of playing as doubtful."

Nick Underhill of MassLive.com speculates that Patriots WR Jabar Gaffney may be the odd-man out when final rosters cuts are made this preseason. Underhill projects both Deion Branch and Donte' Stallworth to make the roster. "As things currently stand Gaffney should be the odd-man out," writes Underhill. "He just hasn’t done a whole lot in practices and is currently battling an injury. All three players need to make an impression over the final two preseason games, but Gaffney needs to put his chemistry with Brady to good use if he hopes to cover the lost ground."