Game day. Patriots host the Panthers (7p) and Mac Jones and most of the healthy starters are expected to play, per sources. Panthers will primarily play their 2nd/3rd units, according to coach Matt Rhule.

Wonder if Mac Jones tried to prevent DeVante Parker from taking a shot on that second-down slant. Put it behind him. On third down, James Ferentz has 230-pounder Julian Stanford walk him into the backfield, leading to a sack. Been a tough week for Ferentz versus Carolina.

Not the start the Patriots offense wanted. Two straight three-and-outs. Mac Jones overthrows Jakobi Meyers on second down. On third down, he has plenty of time, but he and Rhamondre Stevenson aren't on the same page. Punt.

Fantasy Reaction to the Panthers and Patriots Damien Harris 📈 Rhamondre Stevenson 📈 Most Patriots WRs, except for one 📉 Panthers Backup RB Battle 👀 pff.com/news/fantasy-f…

Hunter Henry, Kendrick Bourne, Trent Brown, Isaiah Wynn and Justin Herron among those missing tonight. Henry hurt himself early on day 1 of the joint practices with the #Panthers and hasn't been seen since. Wynn has been out for 2 weeks or so. Didn't notice anything with Brown.

Patriots injury update: WR Tyquan Thornton (shoulder) is out.

Bailey Zappe on the run and complete! @baileyzappe04 📺: #CARvsNE on @NFLNetwork 📱: Stream on NFL+ bit.ly/3Cky43E pic.twitter.com/akO00NiS4o

Something I will be watching tonight: Not seeing WR Kendrick Bourne here in warmups. He had been thrown out of practice for fighting on Tuesday. Will be watching to see his involvement tonight, and if it is affected at all, perhaps by what unfolded in practice.

Lil'Jordan Humphrey out here playing with a purpose. That's an elite special teams play.

Bill Belichick said on @sportshubpats that Jonnu Smith had a "real good week" in joint practices. "He's had a good camp."

The night started with this … and ended with Brenden Schooler picking off an overthrow after DaMarcus Mitchell registered a strip sack in the end zone recovered for a TD. twitter.com/mikereiss/stat…

Joshuah Bledsoe forces the fumble and the @Patriots are right back in opposing territory 😯 📺: #CARvsNE on @NFLNetwork 📱: Stream on NFL+ bit.ly/3Cky43E pic.twitter.com/rKslffbHAh

It's the preseason, but Bill Belichick will still reach down into his sock and throw the challenge flag. His toss looks to be in midseason form.

James Ferentz just walloped Kenny Robinson, who knocked out Kristian Wilkerson the other day, and draws an unnecessary roughness penalty

Josh Uche with the sack. I think we'll see many more of those this season.

First Cole Strange 69 jersey I've seen in the wild. I'm sure it won't be the last. pic.twitter.com/eoCnc7NA2G

Former @AlabamaFTBL DT LaBryan Ray doing work for the @Patriots pic.twitter.com/usOARUXByJ

Shaun Wade making a charge for a possible roster spot ... the opening is there after Malcolm Butler (hip) and Joejuan Williams (shoulder) landed on IR. He attacked that football in the air.

"RKK, there are no words to describe the impact you've had on our family." Yesterday, Robert Kraft was honored at the Ron Burton Training Village during the ground breaking of a new building dedicated in his name. pic.twitter.com/eiNlfdSWkp

Shaun Wade intercepts P.J. Walker. He's had a solid camp.

Patriots starting defense: DE: Lawrence Guy NT: Davon Godchaux DE: Christian Barmore OLB: Matthew Judon ILB: Ja'Whaun Bentley ILB: Jahlani Tavai OLB: Anfernee Jennings CB: Jalen Mills CB: Jonathan Jones S: Adrian Phillips S: Devin McCourty

Kyle Dugger has flat-out crushed a few Panthers players tonight. Kid can really hit.

Will be watching the Patriots' WR rotation tonight. They've had 5 guys with the top unit in camp: Nelson Agholor, Jakobi Meyers, DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne, Tyquan Thornton. Agholor disappointed last season and has the biggest contract, but he's impressed the team of late.

You want the deep ball? Mac delivers to Nelson Agholor, stepping up in the pocket and delivering a perfectly lofted throw for a 45 yard gain. Agholor has had a very good week vs Carolina, albeit tonight working vs the backups. #Patriots

Terrific rebound for the offense on this drive beginning with the third-and-5 completion to Agholor and then the 45-harder to Agholor with three nice Ty Montgomery plays sprinkled in. Positive strides on third drive.

The Panthers have mostly backups in, but rookie starting LT Ikem Ekwonu is playing. He was beat for back-to-back sacks by Deatrich Wise and Josh Uche.

Ja'Whaun Bentley just smothered a screen pass for a 4-yard loss. Coaches and teammates have raved about Bentley this summer.

Asked about Bourne's availability next week, Belichick said everyone except Kristian Wilkerson should be available in Vegas

Early warmups for Jalen Mills. Working on hand-eye coordinator with tennis balls. Mills had a great week in joint practices. pic.twitter.com/SVxXHQCMUT

Jonathan Jones breaks up a deep ball intended for Keith Kirkwood. Kirkwood is 6-foot-3 and it'll be important for Jones to show he can defend taller receivers on the outside

Pierre Strong is the Patriots' top kick returner tonight

It's a fumble. Nice play by Bledsoe. Myles Bryant recovery the ball. Brian Hoyer will start at the 26-yard line.

Just zeroed in on Jack Jones and he did a terrific job running the route better than the receiver did. Near pick. Nice play by the 4th round rookie CB. #Patriots

Panthers call tails. Coin comes up heads. Patriots, with Matthew Slater as captain, elect to defer.

Tristan Vizcaino hits the 51-yard field goal. At least we're no longer tied in the fourth quarter of a preseason game.

The New England Patriots are signing former Buffalo Bills tight end Jalen Wydermyer to a deal.

Pro Football Network’s Aaron Wilson reported the news on Thursday.

Patriots are signing former Bills and Texas A&M tight end Jalen Wydermyer, per a league source @PFN365

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 18, 2022

Wydermyer is listed at 6-foot-4, 255 pounds, which is a perfect prototypical size for an NFL tight end. He tested poorly at his pro day, seeing him fall out of the 2022 NFL draft, which led to the former Texas A&M standout signing with the Bills as an undrafted rookie free agent