The starters are getting the night off.
Head coach Mike Vrabel explained on The Sports Hub why the Patriots are resting their starters for Saturday’s preseason game against the Eagles.
“I don’t think that’s the best thing for our football team right now, is after two competitive, physical days, is to come out here and play tonight,” Vrabel told Patriots radio play-by-play man Bob Socci. “We’re going to make sure that there’s a plan and we’re going to make sure we get our guys ready, and the ones that we need to see will play tonight.”
Starters Henderson, Byard, Woodson, Gilliam, Gonzalez, running back Rhamondre Stevenson, wide receivers A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs and DeMario Douglas, tight end Hunter Henry, left tackle Will Campbell, left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, center Jared Wilson, right guard Mike Onwenu, right tackle Morgan Moses, defensive tackles Milton Williams, Christian Barmore and Cory Durden, outside linebackers Dre’Mont Jones and Elijah Ponder, linebackers Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss and cornerbacks Carlton Davis and Marcus Jones all rested in last week’s preseason game against the Colts.