Several Patriots starters not suiting up for preseason opener vs. Commanders

Jul 28, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) runs after the catch during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Jul 28, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) runs after the catch during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | Eric Canha-Imagn Images

In the days leading up to the Patriots' preseason opener against the Commanders on Friday night, head coach Mike Vrabel revealed that all healthy players would be taking the field, including the starters.

Plenty were seen taking the field dressed in their uniforms, with the iconic silver pants making their long-awaited return, but a few noticeable players were missing from the group, most notably some of the starters.

Since the Commanders have already announced that their starters won't play, it's not a major issue for the Patriots to be without several of their starters. However, this is the first time that Vrabel and Co., along with the fans, will have the 2025 team, and we won't be able to see how some of the most highly regarded additions will look until, at least, next week, if not longer.

That is a lot of talent that will be watching from the sidelines or the locker room who won't be able to be evaluated by the Patriots coaching staff just yet.

The Patriots will be down several players for their clash with the Commanders

During any preseason, most starters won't participate for one reason or another, with most not wanting to risk injury that could impact their regular season availability. That might be the case with the long list of Patriots that won't be making their preseason debuts, and that's hard to argue against.

However, this roster has undergone a lot of changes this offseason and it's crucial they are able to work together as much as possible, especially in a real game environment, to establish a chemistry that will elevate their chance of success during the upcoming season. That makes it unfortunate for so many to be sitting out on Friday night.

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It's not something that will completely derail their season, of course, and there are still two preseason games left to be played before it's time for Week 1. So, there shouldn't be a rise of concern regarding any of these players' potential. But as the preseason continues, there is less of a chance that starters will actually take the field since the fear of injury will only heighten.

That means we might not get a good look at most of the newcomers, most notably Carlton Davis, Stefon Diggs and Harold Landry, with the team before roster cutdowns.

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