5 players to watch in Thursday’s preseason opener against Texans

Patriots football is returning to Foxborough. The Patriots start off their preseason against the Texans when they square off tonight at 7:00 p.m. at Gillette Stadium. The Texans named rookie first-round draft pick C.J. Stroud as the starting quarterback. Conversely, the Patriots are expected to play the least experienced players, with Christian Gonzalez, Marte Mapu, Keion White, Demario Douglas, and Kayshon Boutte showcasing their talents for the first time. However, there’s still plenty to watch as position battles get tighter. Likewise, the Patriots will have to cut their current roster from 90 players to 53 by August 30th.

With that being said, here are five players to keep an eye out for tonight.

WR/QB Malik Cunningham

One of the more exciting players on the Patriots roster is undrafted rookie receiver/quarterback Malik Cunningham. That alone is unusual, as Cunningham has played quarterback and receiver this summer. At the beginning of the summer, Cunningham worked with the other rookie receivers, and it wasn’t until recently that the former college quarterback took reps at the quarterback position. The Louisville quarterback had his best season in 2021 when he threw 2,941 yards and 19 touchdowns while completing 62 percent of his passes and rushing for 1,031 yards and 20 TDs.

The Patriots already have an established backup, with gunslinger Bailey Zappe behind Mac Jones on the depth chart. But, there could be a competition between Cunningham and NFL veteran Trace McSorley for the third spot.

WR Demario “Pop” Douglas

Every season, there’s a training camp “star.” It wasn’t long ago when former Patriots seventh-round pick Tre Nixon was turning heads at summer practices. Unfortunately, Nixon’s stellar performance couldn’t translate to the field. Demario Douglas has been on a tear this summer, as his route-running, speed, and reliable catching skills have been elite. Although receiver position coach Troy Brown told the media, the rookie has yet to prove himself in a real setting, like an NFL game. The receiver stands at 5-foot-8 but doesn’t act like his height is an issue. “I play with a chip on my shoulder, Douglas said.” “But I always come out. I feel like I’m the same height as everybody on the field. So I have a chip on my shoulder, but I feel like I can play with anybody.”

RB Kevin Harris

Sophomore running back Kevin Harris will look to make his presence known when he suits up for the preseason opener on Thursday night. Rhamondre Stevenson will be the leader of the backfield this season, but the Patriots still don’t have a clear backup running back. Veteran Ty Montgomery went down early in training camp with a leg injury and hasn’t been back on the field since. In addition, the Patriots have fourth-year back J.J. Taylor, who has been around the team for a while but has often spent his time on the practice squad. The Patriots also have Pierre Strong Jr., the former South Dakota running back, who will compete with Harris for the backup job.

WR Tyquan Thornton

While receivers like Kayshon Boutte and Demario Douglas have been impressing the eyes of reporters and fans, Tyquan Thornton has been trending in the wrong direction. The former second-round pick has been battling a “soft tissue-related injury,” according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss. Injuries have been a problem for the former Baylor receiver as he suffered a shoulder injury before the season started last year and had to sit out the first five weeks. Thornton has been seen playing with the backup offense and has rarely seen time with starting quarterback Mac Jones, which could signal Thornton’s fight for a roster spot.

CB Jack Jones

Out of all 90 players on the current Patriots roster, it’s safe to say Jack Jones has the most storylines. Jones has a lot on his plate, from his legal troubles to a reported ejection from a training camp practice. Jones was arrested at Logan Airport in June on gun charges. However, the Patriots are seemingly moving on, as the cornerback has practiced all summer with the team. Jones is due back in court for a probable cause hearing on August 18th, one day before the team’s preseason game at the Green Bay Packers. If indicted and convicted, two counts against the 25-year-old have a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 2.5 years. When asked last week if Jones plans to play this season with the Patriots, he gave a straightforward answer.

“That’s not my call. That’s up to Coach [Bill Belichick], Jones said.” “I just do what I’m supposed to do on the field, give it my all on the field, and hope it falls in the right place.”