Reports: Tom Brady To Play Vs. Bears, Though Likely Not Very Much

BOSTON (CBS) -- Fans in Foxboro will get their final preseason glimpse of the Patriots on Thursday night at Gillette Stadium, but they likely won't be seeing the team's biggest star.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Patriots plan on using Tom Brady very little, and perhaps not at all, for the team's second preseason game of the summer.

As Rapoport reported, it's "all about getting Jimmy Garoppolo ready."

It's not surprising news. Brady's been used sporadically throughout the preseason over the past several years, and Garoppolo's lack of starting experience in the NFL stresses the need to give him as many snaps as possible in preparation.

UPDATE: Not so fast -- The Boston Herald's Jeff Howe said that Brady will play vs. the Bears.

How much Brady will play remains unknown, but Howe's report is clear that No. 12 will be on the field at some point.

Brady did not play at all last week, and was excused from the team in order to attend memorial services for a relative.

In addition to Brady, several other key players -- including Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman -- aren't expected to play.

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• Chicago Bears
• NFL
• Tom Brady
• New England Patriots