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As a rookie on the Patriots, you have to earn everything. That includes a real jersey number. And with the preseason schedule beginning Thursday night in Detroit, this year's class finally got some of those real numbers.
Here's What To Watch For from a Patriots perspective in their preseason opener.
Between signing a new contract, practicing in Michigan, and putting his house up for sale, Tom Brady has had a rather busy week. So the quarterback is going to get a night off.
The good news for the Patriots? Josh Gordon has applied for reinstatement. The bad news? Gordon's playing fate now rests solely in the hands of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell
For the time being, though, the Patriots' rookie class has been getting in some good work in this week's joint practice sessions with the Lions. Among those who have shined are third-round pick Chase Winovich and undrafted wideout Jakobi Meyers.
Tom Brady only has one real year left on his current contract. And the quarterback is apparently planning a move.
Fortunately for the Patriots and their fans, the apparent injury to N'Keal Harry was just a scare.
Tom Brady wants to continue to rewrite the rules for aging quarterbacks by putting together a marvelous performance at age 42. And he thinks the Patriots don't believe in him.
"I mean, it's really the reality for most guys in the NFL," Brady said Monday after the Patriots' joint practice with the Lions. "I don't want to think that I'm any different than everybody else. Football's a tough business, it's a production business. I'm ready to go this year, and that's really what matters. That's where my focus is."
Edge defender Shilique Calhoun was a standout performer on Monday, drawing notice reviews from the Patriots reporters in attendance.
At the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Tom Brady was given a reminder of exactly how far he's come in football.
Tom Brady and the New England Patriots have reportedly reached an agreement on a contract extension.
Ed Reed was feeling thankful during his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction speech. So much so that he accidentally gave credit to a man who never coached him.
Former Patriots cornerback Ty Law was among the group inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Tom Brady is officially 42 years old. He's still playing quarterback for the Patriots. What's driving him?
Friday's practice involved some added activity for second-year running back Sony Michel in a receiving role.
ESPN's Josina Anderson reported Friday that Cameron Meredith was "in the New England area" and is "vying to become the Patriots newest wide receiver."
What really stood out the most from Ty Law's career was the high quality of quarterbacks that found themselves throwing interceptions to No. 24.
Jakobi Meyers drew the most oohs and ahhs from the media attending Thursday morning's practice session behind Gillette Stadium, as he made a number of impressive plays that stood out.
The infamous cliff has arrived for one Tom Brady. That at least must be the conclusion drawn after Brady -- for the first time in the nine-year history of the NFL Network's "Top 100" show -- finished outside the top five this year. The Patriots' quarterback came in as just the sixth-best player in the NFL last season.
When it comes to that knowledge, the quarterback said something Wednesday that ought to have New England awfully excited about what is to come from the Patriots' defense.
Considering the wide range of topics covered in Brady's meeting with the media, it might be best to run it all. So, here's everything Brady had to say
Thus far through training camp, it's been a slow go for second-year left tackle Isaiah Wynn as he recovers from a torn Achilles that cost him his entire rookie season. Might the Patriots have another plan on the left side of their line?
N'Keal Harry and the Patriots took to the scorching-hot practice fields behind Gillette Stadium, and though the receiver made a dazzling catch, he also had some miscues.
Pro Football Hall of Famer and Massachusetts native Nick Buoniconti has died. He was 78 years old.
The Red Sox took the lead against Minnesota, but couldn't hold on as the teams played a rainy series finale in Boston.
Police in Winthrop, Massachusetts are investigating after a woman died following a shooting Sunday morning.
New England's largest and oldest Renaissance festival, King Richard's Faire, is a celebration of music, theater, and history.
In a vibrant Salem neighborhood, public art transforms everyday streets into a living museum at the Punto Urban Art Museum.
Renowned for her coastal-inspired artwork, artist Deidre Tao's art can be found in galleries and homes around New England.
Veteran Boston firefighter Robert "Bobby" Kilduff Jr. died Saturday night after falling from the third floor of a Dorchester home while battling a large fire.
Police in Winthrop, Massachusetts are investigating after a woman died following a shooting Sunday morning.
There is broad commitment on the principles of a deal, a senior Trump administration official said, and the administration feels positive about where things stand.
A woman was injured after being struck by a duck boat while crossing a street near Boston's Faneuil Hall on Friday afternoon, according to the Boston Police Department.
WBZ-TV political analyst Jon Keller talks to UMass president Marty Meehan.
Many people fear that a family history of dementia dooms them to inevitably suffer the condition themselves. But a new tool, the Brain Care Score, shows how lifestyle changes can be beneficial, cutting the risk of dementia.
There was a possible measles exposure at Logan Airport in Boston last week, Massachusetts health officials say.
A new study finds that a simple blood test could predict Alzheimer's disease long before symptoms appear.
The Lone Star tick, which can cause alpha-gal syndrome, is spreading north throughout Massachusetts.
Boston's cold and snowy winter might have an effect on this year's pollen allergy season.
A driver from Southboro, Massachusetts struggled for months to unravel a frustrating mix up with his E-ZPass account.
The gunman who allegedly opened fire on passing cars on Memorial Drive in Cambridge, Massachusetts is 46-year-old Tyler Brown from Boston.
There have been four violent attacks in three weeks at Tewksbury Hospital and a state representative is taking the fight to Beacon Hill to give security the non-lethal equipment back.
A family is demanding answers from the Gloucester, Massachusetts school district, after learning their five-year-old son was left alone in a quiet room for nearly half an hour.
A nurse says the decision is leaving the staff and patients at Tewksbury Hospital vulnerable to serious injury.
Barney Frank, a Democrat who represented Massachusetts in Congress for 32 years, has died. He was 86 years old.
Both the Trump and Healey administrations are using government websites to blame each other for the shutdown.
Which party stands to take more of the blame from voters for the government shutdown? Here's what a new poll says.
A UNH Survey Center/Granite State poll shows John Sununu crushing Scott Brown by 23 points among likely primary voters in New Hampshire.
Seth Moulton said he's running against Sen. Ed Markey because "our party leaders are clinging to that old playbook."
Dover Saddlery is closing its Wellesley, Massachusetts store and preparing for more than 100 layoffs.
The "dirty soda" trend is coming to drive-thrus all over Massachusetts as Dunkin' is now serving up its own version of the viral drink.
Smokey Bones is closing all of its restaurants, including Massachusetts locations in Tyngsboro and Taunton.
Boston ranks right up there with Hawaii as one of the most expensive vacation spots in the country, according to a new report.
The Market Basket Board of Directors was justified in firing longtime CEO Arthur T. Demoulas, a judge ruled Monday.
New England's largest and oldest Renaissance festival, King Richard's Faire, is a celebration of music, theater, and history.
In a vibrant Salem neighborhood, public art transforms everyday streets into a living museum at the Punto Urban Art Museum.
Renowned for her coastal-inspired artwork, artist Deidre Tao's art can be found in galleries and homes around New England.
With over 100 sculptures woven into the mountainside, the Andres Institute of Art is New England's largest outdoor sculpture park.
Known formally as Gurnet Light, a historic lighthouse has guided mariners at the entrance to Plymouth Harbor for generations.
The Red Sox took the lead against Minnesota, but couldn't hold on as the teams played a rainy series finale in Boston.
Trevor Larnach matched his career-high with four hits, Taj Bradley allowed one run over five innings in his return from a chest muscle injury and the Minnesota Twins beat the Boston Red Sox 4-2 on Saturday for their ninth win in 13 games.
Sofia Huerta and Maddie Dahlien scored and the Seattle Reign snapped Boston Legacy's five-game unbeaten streak with a 2-1 victory on Friday night in the National Women's Soccer League.
The Minnesota Twins rallied from four runs down to beat the Boston Red Sox 8-6 on Friday night.
Kyle Busch's family earlier Thursday announced he had been hospitalized with a "severe illness."
A Boston man says he's lucky to be alive after jumping into the Charles River to save his dog.
Little Joe the gorilla is leaving Boston after decades at the Franklin Park Zoo.
There's been another sighting of an unusual killer whale named Old Thom in the waters off Massachusetts.
A soccer coach in Ludlow, Massachusetts plans to pay it forward after winning big on a lottery scratch ticket.
The Rumney Rocks Climbing Area is partially closed as nesting peregrine falcons could attack rock climbers.