Live Updates: Patriots vs. Panthers
Get insight on the New England Patriots as they take on the Carolina Panthers in their third preseason game of the week.






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Zuri Berry 8/23/2014 12:33:34 AMCam Newton took a knee. Thought it was him just needing to speak in the huddle. But he's hurt. Jamie Collins kinda nicked him.
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by New England Patriots via twitter 8/23/2014 12:32:59 AM
Brady & Vereen celebrate their first TD connection of the year: http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvruseQIgAAleju.jpg
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by Erik Frenz via twitter 8/23/2014 12:32:25 AMJames Morris on the field on defense, along with Darius Fleming. @PatriotsSB49
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by Erik Frenz via twitter 8/23/2014 12:30:25 AMOh my word. Jets DB situation is in dire straits. RT @MMehtaNYDN : Antonio Allen is shaken up. Being checked out by medical staff. #nyj
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by New England Patriots via twitter 8/23/2014 12:27:23 AM40-yd TOUCHDOWN, Brady to @ShaneVereen34 ! #CARvsNE
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Zuri Berry 8/23/2014 12:25:17 AMJosh Kline playing the role of Nate Solder, entering the game as an eligible TE.
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Zuri Berry 8/23/2014 12:24:41 AMPanthers DT Star Lotulelei looks good. Beat Nate Solder for the tackle in the backfield.
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by Erik Frenz via twitter 8/23/2014 12:23:39 AMNice adjustment by Kenbrell Thompkins on that slant route, cut it short before entering the coverage of the linebacker.
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Zuri Berry 8/23/2014 12:23:23 AMKenbrell Thompkins looks so polished. Huge, huge growth over the last year. Nice slant and catch.
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by Erik Frenz via twitter 8/23/2014 12:21:31 AMDan Connolly at RG and Ryan Wendell at C on this series. #throwbackfriday ?
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by Carolina Panthers via twitter 8/23/2014 12:20:55 AMLearn more about Smith here: pnth.rs/YEulaV RT @PanthersMax D.J. Smith in the game at linebacker in place of Luke Kuechly.
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Zuri Berry 8/23/2014 12:20:28 AM@Mike: Quite a few people. Steve Maneri for one. Dude just missed an easy block.
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by zuriberry via twitter 8/22/2014 11:32:19 PMThat's a new twist for the Gillette Stadium scoreboard. instagram.com/p/sBN7VTOiXC/
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by Carolina Panthers via twitter 8/22/2014 11:29:32 PM
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by New England Patriots via twitter 8/22/2014 11:27:59 PM
#Patriots are ready to take the field for the final 2014 preseason game @GilletteStadium #CARvsNE http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bvrf0VgCYAAIpPn.jpg
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by Carolina Panthers via twitter 8/22/2014 11:25:12 PM
Watching the game on TV? Tag your tweets with #SweetTweets & you could end up on the broadcast! http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvrfKqQCQAAH-qb.png
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by Carolina Panthers via twitter 8/22/2014 11:18:03 PM
Ready to fly. #CARvsNE http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvrdiqUCEAEFdfe.jpg
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by Erik Frenz via twitter 8/22/2014 11:08:36 PM12 players missing: Dobson, Gaffney, Bolden, Gordon, Hooman, Stork, C. Martin, Easley, Vollmer, Gronkowski, Chr. Jones, Siliga.
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by Carolina Panthers via twitter 8/22/2014 11:08:33 PM
Cam and the #Panthers take the field. #CARvsNE http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvrbXYqIAAAlJoE.png
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Zuri Berry 8/22/2014 11:06:03 PMPatriots not suited up for Friday’s game against the Panthers:
WR Aaron Dobson
RB Tyler Gaffney
RB Brandon Bolden
LB Cameron Gordon
TE Michael Hoomanawanui
C Bryan Stork
OL Chris Martin
DL Dominique Easley
OT Sebastian Vollmer
TE Rob Gronkowski
DT Chris Jones
DT Sealver Siliga -
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Zuri Berry 8/22/2014 10:59:16 PMLooks like Aaron Dobson, Brandon Bolden, Michael Hoomanawanui, and Gronk are all out for sure. Not on field for warmups.
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by Carolina Panthers via twitter 8/22/2014 10:55:18 PM
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Zuri Berry 8/22/2014 10:54:56 PMBelichick says don't read too much into how much players play. They're still trying to evaluate a lot of guys fighting for roster spots.
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Zuri Berry 8/22/2014 10:52:45 PM"We'll have to be ready to defend extended plays." - Bill Belichick on 98.5 The Sports Hub ahead of the game.
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Zuri Berry 8/22/2014 10:49:24 PMMatthew Slater, Roy Finch, Jeremy Gallon, and Josh Boyce taking kickoffs in practice.
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by Carolina Panthers via twitter 8/22/2014 10:48:04 PMNeed to know what channel the #Panthers game is on? Look no further: pnth.rs/BroadcastMap
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by Erik Frenz via twitter 8/22/2014 10:38:26 PMRob Ninkovich is on the field and long-snapping. Could be a new backup option for Danny Aiken.
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by Carolina Panthers via twitter 8/22/2014 10:35:36 PM
What to Watch | #CARvsNE : pnth.rs/1tq6WEI http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvrT06pIIAE0xhq.png
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by Carolina Panthers via twitter 8/22/2014 10:31:11 PM
Almost go time! #KeepPounding RT @BringBackTheBuz #PantherNation vine.co/v/MLHEzUmVvxd
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Zuri Berry 8/22/2014 10:26:39 PMA little insight from the Patriots official Twitter account.
Linebacker Jamie Collins will get the green dot on his helmet, signifying his direct communication with the coaches on the sideline as well as his leadership on the team.Jamie Collins with a green dot for the defense tonight. pic.twitter.com/5HOHLHyoNK
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 22, 2014
Jerod Mayo and Dont'a Hightower, who have both worn the dot for the Patriots defense, look like they will not play tonight against the Carolina Panthers. Mayo typically wears the dot as the leader of the defense. -
Zuri Berry 8/22/2014 10:26:26 PMDespite getting more involved in Patriots practices this week, tight end Rob Gronkowski will not play in Friday night's game against the Carolina Panthers, according to a report.
As expected, Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski will sit tonight. Everything is still on course, though -- Optimistic, but not certain about Wk 1.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) August 22, 2014
Gronk had an outside shot of appearing in this preseason game, but nothing was ever guaranteed. And now, apparently, not even Week 1, according to NFL Network's Albert Breer.
(Gronk participated in some warmups ahead of Friday's game in what appeared to be a rehab group that included Jerod Mayo, Dont'a Hightower, Sebastian Vollmer, Dominique Easley, Bryan Stork, Aaron Dobson, and Sealver Siliga.)
Rest assured knowing that whatever coddling that's going on for the big tight end now will likely come to an end when the games matter. -
Zuri Berry 8/22/2014 10:24:04 PMThe Carolina Panthers, with their flashy quarterback and stud defensive linemen, aren't the concern Friday night, for once.
Instead, for the third straight week the focus for the Patriots should be on holes in the roster and the individual competitions that are going on.
After Friday's game, Bill Belichick and the brass will have only a few days before they have to trim the team's roster to 75 players Aug. 26. (The 53-man roster cuts are due Aug. 30.)
So with that in mind, here's my points of emphasis for tonight's game.
1. Somebody has to emerge at strong safety — It doesn't matter if it's Kyle Arrington, Duron Harmon, Tavon Wilson, Patrick Chung, or even Logan Ryan. There needs to be a definitive answer for who can and should line up opposite of Devin McCourty when the season begins. Right now, it appears this position is a weak link in an otherwise stellar secondary. Veterans Chung and Wilson deserve a shot. But if they can't beat out Arrington, Harmon, or Ryan, there's really no place for them on the roster.
2. Can Josh Boyce make a play? — We're at the point now that a touchdown or two may not even save Josh Boyce from the guillotine. But I think if he's able to, say, break a tackle and show some flash, barring any mistakes he could make it into the second round of cuts where anything could happen. He obviously has stiff competition with wide receivers Brian Tyms and Kenbrell Thompkins. But he's also battling against players at other positions, including at tight end and on the offensive line. Unfortunately for Boyce, he is smack dab in the middle of a numbers game.
3. Who is the right guard? — Are the Patriots giving the job to Jordan Devey or Josh Kline? The two have both gotten extended looks in the preseason and have competed well. Kline was an early riser in camp while Devey has performed well of late. Between the two, as well as for the rest of the offensive line, there will be some difficulties with Panthers defensive tackles Star Lotulelei, Colin Cole, and Kawann Short.
4. Last showcase for Ryan Mallett that matters — After this week in the preseason, teams are likely to start resting their starters ahead of the regular season. Mallett, who is in the last year of his rookie contract, has one more shot to show general managers that he can be a viable quarterback for another team. It's important for him to get off to a strong start and to avoid any major mistakes.
5. Standouts on the defensive line — Outside of starting defensive ends Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich, the Patriots need to know that their backup defensive linemen can spell these two during the regular season and still do some damage. We're calling attention to Will Smith, Michael Buchanan, Jake Bequette, and Zach Moore, who each have had difficulties this preseason. They're still adjusting to working in a 3-4 scheme, but there won't be any excuses when the cuts come. -
Zuri Berry 8/22/2014 10:23:01 PMKickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Records: Patriots 1-1; Panthers 1-1.
TV, radio: Patriots Preseason Television Network (Dan Roche, Christian Fauria, Matt Chatham, Steve Burton) on Boston's WBZ-TV, Springfield's WWLP-TV, Providence, R.I.'s WPRI-TV, Manchester, N.H.'s WMUR-TV, and Hartford, Conn.'s WTNH-TV; 98.5 FM The Sports Hub (Bob Socci, Scott Zolak).
Projected starting lineups
Based on information distributed to the media, practice observations, and injury reports.
Patriots offense: WR Kenbrell Thompkins, LT Nate Solder, LG Logan Mankins, C Dan Connolly, RG Jordan Devey, RT Marcus Cannon, TE Rob Gronkowski, WR Julian Edelman, QB Tom Brady, RB Stevan Ridley, WR Danny Amendola.
Patriots defense: DE Rob Ninkovich, DT Vince Wilfork, DT Tommy Kelly, DE Chandler Jones, LB Dont'a Hightower, LB Jerod Mayo, LB Jamie Collins, CB Darrelle Revis, CB Brandon Browner, S Devin McCourty, S Tavon Wilson.
Panthers offense: WR Jericho Cotchery, LT Byron Bell, LG Amini Silatolu, C Ryan Kalil, RG Trai Turner, RT Nate Chandler, TE Greg Olsen, WR Kelvin Benjamin, QB Cam Newton, FB Mike Tolbert, RB DeAngelo Williams.
Panthers defense: LDE Charles Johnson, LDT Colin Cole, RDT Star Lotulelei, RDE Greg Hardy, SLB Chase Blackburn, MLB Luke Kuechly, WLB Thomas Davis, LCB Antoine Cason, RCB Melvin White, SS Roman Harper, FS Thomas DeCoud.