New England Patriots football is back ... kind of.
On Thursday evening, the Patriots host the Indianapolis Colts for their preseason opener. With New England 's starters not expected to receive extended playing time, all eyes will be on depth pieces fighting for roster spots.
Here are five names who'll likely get playing time that you should watch during the matchup.
Jul 28, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Behren Morton (15) throws a pass during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Whether you want to or not, you'll be watching Morton if you tune into Thursday's game.
With Drake Maye not expected to play , Tommy DeVito will likely split time with Morton as the Patriots' signal callers. The Texas Tech alumni has looked surprisingly comfortable through the spring and summer as a seventh-round rookie working in Josh McDaniels' offense.
"I think that preparation's a big thing," Morton said when asked about that comfortability on Aug. 1. "I think coach Ashton Grant does a great job. Coach McDaniels is a tremendous coach. And so, I really got to give hats off to their coaching abilities, that in the meetings, installs, I can understand it. And so, when I do get a live rep at it, your pulse is low and you can operate and make a good play."
Morton's preseason play could be the deciding factor in keeping him around on the 53-man roster come September, or risking him clearing waivers to return on the practice squad.
Jul 25, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Khalil Jacobs (59) does a drill at training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
An undrafted free agent, Jacobs has skyrocketed up the depth chart since signing in New England. The Missouri alumni has worked primarily as the Patriots' fourth linebacker, behind veterans Robert Spillane , Christian Eliss and Chad Muma .
"He stays late," Mike Vrabel said about Jacobs on Friday. "I see him here all the time. He loves just kind of when you put the ball down and play it, when you get to the team periods, you kind of notice his play speed, and I think that's a great thing to say."
A gameday is the epitome of "put the ball down and play it." Will Jacobs continue to step up to the plate and prove to be yet another undrafted gem for the Patriots?
Aug 11, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Cameron Dorner (88) makes a catch and breaks a tackle by Indianapolis Colts cornerback Johnathan Edwards (35) during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
In Morton's limited reps in team drills, he has looked most comfortable targeting Dorner. Listed at 6'1", 188 pounds, the North Texas product has had an impressive camp which would have likely earned him 53-man roster buzz in any other year.
However, in a crowded receiver room, Dorner's best opportunity may actually come on another team's roster. But for now, he is in New England and should be on the receiving end of multiple passes from Morton on Thursday.
If Dorner continues his training camp momentum into the preseason, he could be picked up elsewhere once teams across the NFL cut down their rosters.
Jun 10, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Joshua Farmer (92) works out during minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Farmer makes an appearance as the only non-rookie on the list. While the trenches can be difficult to evaluate in training camp due to only limited contact being allowed, the 2025 fourth round pick has turned heads regardless.
Last season, the 23-year-old appeared in 13 games for New England and started in three. While the Patriots' top defensive lineman spots are near-locks to go to Milton Williams, Christian Barmore and Cory Durden , Farmer has looked to be the de facto fourth option.
If he can plug up run plays and get a handful of pressures on the quarterback on Thursday, Farmer's status will solidify even further.
Jul 28, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back Jam Miller (30) walks to practice for training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Although the Patriots added Hassan Haskins and reportedly JaMycal Hasty on Wednesday, I would still expect Miller to get a high volume of reps from the Patriots' backfield.
Although he has had some explosive runs in camp, the Alabama product is currently a long shot to make the final roster as he sits behind Terrell Jennings and Lan Larison in a battle for the third running back spot.
However, jobs in the backfield can easily be won and lost in preseason games, as training camp team drills are not full contact. If Miller can shed through a few would-be tacklers on a handful of runs, he could gain some momentum in the fight for a roster spot.
This article was originally published on www.si.com/nfl/patriots/onsi as Five Players to Watch in Patriots Preseason Opener vs. Colts .
