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Four Key Patriots to Watch on Offense in Thursday Night's Preseason Opener with Indianapolis
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- Four Key Patriots to Watch on Offense in Thursday Night's Preseason Opener with Indianapolis
With New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel choosing to sit Drake Maye and presumably many regulars on offense in Thursday night's preseason opener with the Indianapolis Colts , there will be a unique sense of urgency in the contest.
Jobs are there to be won, and yeah, lost as well.
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The Patriots will use the night to see what they have in a handful of newcomers, while gauging how bubble guys perform.
Here are four Patriots to watch on offense, facing an important night.
Caleb Lomu
The rookie first-round draft pick has had a roller-coaster spring and summer so far.
Vrabel and his offensive staff have taken no quarter with him, playing him at both left and right tackle. Lomu has shown his inexperience and youth at times. Thursday night, he'll get a deep introduction to the pro game.
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"It's been good to be able to learn both sides of the line just to understand the playbook a little bit more," said Lomu.
"It's a little bit difficult at first, different footwork, different hand placement, going the opposite way on plays from one side. It's been helping me a lot being able to get more playing time and to understand the playbook a lot more and just getting more reps out here."
New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams (18) completes a pass on Sept. 21, 2025.Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
Kyle Williams
A third-round pick a year ago, Williams found himself at the bottom of the receiver depth chart.
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Every snap now matters as the second-year man, who scored three TDs a year ago.
Vrabel has spoken well of Williams through training camp, noting that it's the coaching staff's responsibility to harness his speed into a legit NFL weapon. It's time to see how the kid is progressing.
Eli Raridon
The rookie tight end, a third-round pick out of Notre Dame , has caught everything in sight this summer, both from Maye with the first team and his backup Tommy DeVito .
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Now, we get to see if Raridon is the real deal under fire. He's been a shooting star in camp. This is a major next step.
© Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Terrell Jennings
When he came off the injured list, the veteran slid right into the No. 3 running back role behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson .
It felt like the team was comfortable with Jennings there, ahead of second-year man Lan Larison and rookie Jam Miller.
But Vrabel threw a wrench into things on Wednesday when the team signed running back Hassan Haskins after also working out veteran JaMycal Hasty .
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Jennings' performance now takes on deeper importance.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Aug 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
