New England Patriots
The Patriots forced four total turnovers in Thursday’s tie against Indy.
John Saunders had one of four turnovers for the Patriots on Thursday. AP Photo/Mark Stockwell
FOXBOROUGH — Football is back in New England.
Well, sort of.
The New England Patriots opened their preseason slate on Thursday against the Colts, with Drake Maye and a majority of the team’s starters on both sides of the ball sitting out that matchup against Indianapolis.
Still, that deep dive into New England’s depth chart presented a prime opportunity for several players to try and stake their claim for a spot on the 53-man roster.
So, who stood out in New England’s eventual 13-13 tie to the Colts?
Here are seven takeaways from Thursday’s game at Gillette Stadium.
Veterans pop on defense
Preseason openers have oftentimes served as the platform for breakout performances for rookies — as evidenced by last summer, when TreVeyon Henderson took the opening kick to the house for a touchdown and Efton Chism III caught six passes for 50 yards and a touchdown against the Commanders.
But, on Thursday, it was several veterans who made their presence felt against the Colts — especially on the defensive side of the ball.
Indy was knocked for four turnovers, with all three turnovers in the first half generated by older players on the roster bubble in cornerback Kindle Vildor, defensive tackle Jeremiah Pharms Jr., and linebacker K. J. Britt.
Vildor — who has seen his reps ramp up over the last week in camp — took advantage of a bobbled pass while in coverage with Channing Canada, snagging the ball out of the air for the interception in the first quarter.
Pharms helped prevent a Colts touchdown in the next quarter, with Seth McGowan’s attempt to run it into the end zone from the 1-yard line ending in disaster for Indy after Pharms punched the ball out. Safety Dell Pettus recovered the loose ball to end the red-zone threat for the Colts.
Britt entered Thursday’s game on a downward trajectory, with his standing as a potential depth linebacker threatened by the emergence of younger options like Khalil Jacobs. But, Britt made his presence felt in the second quarter — recording a tackle for loss and then forcing a fumble on the very next play.
Britt turned on the jets on the subsequent scramble from Colts QB Anthony Richardson, getting behind the signal-caller and punching the ball out for the fumble, which was recovered by Isaiah Iton.
It was a nice response from Britt, who should once again be back in the mix for a roster spot.
The turnovers didn’t end in the second half, as safety John Saunders plucked a deep throw from Colts QB Riley Leonard out of the air after Eric Gregory and Bradyn Swinson got in Leonard’s face on the pass rush.
There won’t be any sweeping declarations made on the state of New England’s defense off of a game like this. But the club’s depth options all held their own — and didn’t exactly make life any easier for the coaching staff when it comes to future roster cuts.
Swinson, a second-year pro, had a strong night in the second half. Beyond playing a part in Saunders’ interception by dialing up pressure against Leonard, he helped take points off the board for Indy after batting down a pass on a 4th-and-3 from New England’s six-yard line.
Borregales struggles
As solid as New Engand’s defense was, kicker Andy Borregales had a night to forget.
The second-year kicker — who hasn’t been challenged in camp with any additional competition — finished just 2-for-5 on field-goal attempts, including a brutal miss on a 49-yard attempt with just 13 seconds left on the clock.
That converted field goal would have made for a fitting end to an up-and-down night for the Patriots. Instead, it stands as frustrating step back for Borregales — who has largely impressed so far in camp.
Borregales falla el intento de 56 yardas para el FG.
Serie muy accidentada con muchos castigos que arruinaron buenos avances. pic.twitter.com/iSLOm1fYst
— Nación Patriota (@nacionpatriots) August 14, 2026
Attendance report
As expected, a majority of New England’s starters on both offense and defense didn’t take part in Thursday’s game — with stalwarts like Maye, Milton Williams, A.J. Brown, Robert Spillane, and Hunter Henry watching the matchup from the sidelines.
It is worth noting that there were also several players who didn’t dress at all for Thursday’s matchup, including: Christian Gonzalez, Christian Barmore, Charles Woods, Christian Elliss, Kyle DIxon, Julian Ashby, Brenden Schooler, and Harold Landry.
Gonzalez’s absence is noteworthy, especially after the star corner also missed Tuesday’s joint practice with the Colts amid an ongoing contract dispute with the Patriots.
But, speaking on 98.5 The Sports Hub ahead of Thursday’s game, Mike Vrabel said that any player who didn’t dress on Thursday did so due to injury. Gonzalez appeared shaken up during Monday’s practice while defending Romeo Doubs in the end zone.
“Everybody that was healthy practiced (Tuesday),” Vrabel said.“So those guys, we didn’t deem them healthy enough to go out there and participate. When they’re ready, they’ll be back out there. I feel like they’ve all tried to start camp with their own purpose. Gonzo came out competitive and practiced and, I thought, improved. As good as he is, he knows he can still improve.”
“We’ll hopefully get [Davis back] here, and then Woodsy and his, really, versatility, playing a lot of different spots for us,” Vrabel said. “So It’ll be nice to get those guys back hopefully sooner rather than later.”
QB report
With Maye sitting Thursday’s game out, the ball went to Tommy DeVito — who hasn’t played in a regular-season game since Week 15 of the 2024 season — to start. While DeVito was primarily New England’s third QB last year, he has been sharp in training camp, and was solid against the Colts.
DeVito completed 13-of-22 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown to Kyle Williams. He also had an impressive throw downfield to Cameron Dorner in the second quarter that was reeled in — only to be wiped out by a penalty on James Hudson III.
There were a few misfires and underthrown balls from DeVito that limited just how dynamic New England’s offense was on Thursday. But ,the 28-year-old signal-caller did a nice job of solidifying his spot as Maye’s backup this season.
Behren Morton — New England’s 2026 seventh-round pick out of Texas Tech — played in the second half, completing 7-of-13 throws for 66 yards.
Patriots O-line depth takes a hit
Most of New England’s stalwarts on the offensive line had the night off against the Colts.
But, the Patriots’ depth took a major hit after Ben Brown — the team’s next man up at both center and guard — had to exit the game in the first half with what appeared to be a serious leg injury.
During a scramble from DeVito, the Patriots QB was tackled into Brown’s leg, who appeared to get up but then crumpled to the gridiron. After being treated in the blue medical tent, Brown needed help getting down to the locker room.
Brown was replaced by undrafted rookie Jacob Rizy as the team’s center. Any long-term injury for Brown would be a sizable setback for New England, who might need to add another depth guard/center alongside Brown before the regular season began.
To make matters worse, fellow guard/center Andrew Rupcich suffered an injury in the fourth quarter, with the veteran grabbing his leg after getting rolled up. He gingerly made his way to the blue medical tent after the play ended, but was back on the sideline in the closing minutes of the game.
While New England has two stout guards in place between Mike Onwenu and Alijah Vera-Tucker, Vera-Tucker has had several seasons impacted by injury, while Jared Wilso is in his first season as New England’s center.
Kyle Williams stays afloat in WR competition
Something seemingly has to give in the crowded competition that is New England’s wideout room this summer.
But ahead of Thursday’s game, rabel issued a vote of confidence in second-year pro Kyle Williams — who appeared to be one of the seven established wideouts at risk of losing his roster spot if the Patriots needed to make a cut at that position group.
“I really, really know that Kyle is going to help us,” Vrabel said last week. “His speed is going to help us. And I don’t want to use this and get this to be overblown, but I’m going to use the word scheme. I mean, he’s got a skill set, right? We’re going to find ways to get him the ball.”
Sure enough, the Patriots 2025 third-round pick made his presence felt as part of the first-team offense on Thursday, reeling in two catches for 37 yards and a touchdown.
As Vrabel noted, Williams’ speed and release ability was put on display Thursday — giving New England a dynamic element that they should be able to utilize in some capacity this year, even if he may not be a featured cog in Josh McDaniels’ offense.
Progress report
Here’s a quick runthrough of other performances on Thursday, including several rookies on New England’s roster.
After an accelerated ramp-up over the last few weeks, Gabe Jacas started on New England’s defense Thursday — with the 2026 second-round pick having an up-and-down day. He generated pressure off the edge on the play that led to Vildor’s interception, but he also whiffed on some designed runs and disguises in the run game. He finished with five tackles.
Rookie running back Jam Miller had a nice showing in the ongoing battle for New England’s RB3 spot after Terrell Jennings’ season-ending injury. The Crimson Tide product gained 55 yards on the ground off of 14 rushing attempts.
First-round pick Caleb Lomu started at right tackle — and impressed with a blitz pickup on Williams’ second-quarter touchdown, while also springing Miller for a chunk-yardage run while setting the edge. He was also whistled for a penalty that wiped out a catch from Eli Raridon, but it was a solid night overall for the 21-year-old tackle.
Lan Larison is also in the mix for that RB3 spot, with the second-year pro utilized more as a pass-catcher on Thursday with six catches for 38 yards. That versatility could help his case when it comes to carving out a spot behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson.
Rookie corner Karon Prunty finished with five tackles, and helped snuff out a potential explosive play off a Colts WR screen in the first half.
——————
LIVE COVERAGE
10:43: FINAL: Patriots and Colts end with a tie, 13-13. The defense forces four turnovers, but special-teams woes and stop-and-start offense looms large.
More to come on Boston.com.
10:39: Woof. Andy Borregales misses from 49 yards with what would have been the game-winning field goal. He has missed three field goals tonight
10:31: Wow. This game is all tied up. Schrader boots a 61-yard field goal and we have a 13-13 game.
Morton will have a chance here with 1:16 left.
10:27: Vibe check from Foxborough.
10:17: It’s now a 3-point game after the Colts convert on a 46-yard field goal. 13-10 with 6:58 to go.
10:14: Another tackle for loss from Swinson. He’s had a good night.
10:08: Not exactly the most standout performance from New England’s third-team offense — led by Behren Morton.
9:56: Another injury for the Patriots’ O-line — with Andrew Rupcich now holding his leg. He’s making his way off the field with the training staff.
9:51: End Third: Patriots still hold a 13-7 lead.
9:49: Bradyn Swinson has been very active in this half — stuffing a run and then batting down a pass from Leonard to force a turnover on downs in the red zone.
9:44: Patriots have generated some pressure, but their edge rushers have also been prone to some major whiffs off designed runs and disguises.
9:38: Another hefty field-goal attempt from Borregales — with his 55-yard attempt going wide left. Still a 13-7 game. Borregales is 2-for-4 so far tonight.
9:32: Joshua Farmer brings down Leonard to end a Colts drive. Leonard has been very shaky so far in the third quarter.
9:26: Borregales converts on a 52-yard field goal. His strong summer continues. It’s 13-7 Patriots.
9:22: Behren Morton now in at QB for the Patriots. Tommy DeVito was 13-of-22 for 138 yards and a touchdown.
9:20: Yet another drive for the Colts end with a turnover, as Riley Leonard’s pass is picked off by safety John Saunders.
9:02: HALFTIME: Patriots lead the Colts, 10-7. Solid start for New England — with a lot of veterans on defense standing out when it comes to forcing turnovers (Vildor, Pharms, Britt).
8:58: Tommy DeVito and the Patriots offense gets a one-minute drill to end the half, but it stalls out after a 25-yard pickup rom Kyle Williams.
8:52: Touchdown Colts. On the very next play, Anthony Richardson runs it in off a keeper for a TD. It’s now a 10-7 game with 1:04 left in the half.
8:48: Colts respond with a touchdown of their own, but after review — it’s determined he was short of the goal line. Colts now on the 1-yard line.
8:37: TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS. Kyle Williams reels in a 12-yard TD pass from DeVito. Been a quiet night so far for Williams, but he pops there.
10-0 Patriots with 4:03 to go in the first half.
8:35: Nice route by Chism to pick up 20 on a crossing route.
8:32: Cameron Dorner picks up a major gain, but it’s wiped out for an illegible man downfield (Hudson). Dorner went 0-to-60 on that route.
8:31: Nice play by Jam Miller to move the chains on a 4th and 3.
8:30: Vrabel might be getting a few snaps at QB later on tonight.
8:24: Another Colts drive, another turnover. KJ Britt sneaks behind Richardson and punches the ball out — and Isaiah Iton recovers the ball. Patriots take over at their own 20.
Great effort play by Britt.
8:22: Once again, New England can’t do anything with the offense after that clutch turnover. Baringer on to punt.
8:20: Not the best start from New England’s defense after Richardson rips off a 22-yard scramble, but New England forces a turnover at the 1-yard line. Jeremiah Pharms Jr. punched it out, Dell Pettus recovered.
Great play.
8:15: Ben Brown needs help getting to the locker room after leaving the blue medical tent. Not great.
8:14: End First: Patriots up, 3-0.
8:12: Borregales attempts a 56-yard field goal and it’s no good. Still a 3-0 game with 41 seconds left in the first.
8:09: DeVito is sacked, and Ben Brown is really hurting. He exits the game, and Undrafted Jacob Rizy (Harvard/Florida State) steps in as the No. 3 center.
8:06: Mack Hollins has been a familiar target for DeVito so far.
8:00: Really good edge set by Jacas. He’s been very active so far.
7:54: The Patriots can’t do much with Vildor’s turnover, as New England’s offense punts it away.
7:50: Patriots force the turnover. Veteran Kindle Vildor jumps on a bobbled pass and snags it for an interception. Nice play by the veteran, with Channing Canada also in coverage.
7:43: 3-0 Patriots. Andy Borregales converts on a 40-yard field goal. New England’s drive is aided by a pair of DPI calls against Mekhi Blackmon.
7:41: Now Hollins draws a DPI. Another set of first downs for New England.
7:39: Kyle Williams draws a flag for DPI. Pats move the chains.
7:38: DeVito starts at QB — Boutte and Hollins among the starting unit on offense.
7:35: Patriots win the coin toss and they’ll recieve the ball.
7:29: Here come the Patriots:
7:03: AJ Brown is accounted for.
7:00: Quite a few guys aren’t dressed tonight for New England.
#Patriots not dressed for tonight’s preseason game:
Christian Gonzalez
Christian Barmore
Christian Elliss
Charles Woods
Julian Ashby
Brenden Schooler
Brenden Schooler (NFI)
Harold Landry III (PUP)
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) August 13, 2026
6:57: Patriots starting O-line:
LT – Bryant, LG – Rupcich, C – Brown, RG – Hudson, RT – Lomu
6:53: Will Campbell is taking part in warmups with that brace still on his arm.
6:53: Don’t spot Christian Gonzalez out on the field during warmups.
6:43: Drake Maye is on the field and in uniform. But again, it’s looking like a quiet night for him.
6:16: Feels like we’re going to get a lot of Tommy DeVito and Behren Morton tonight at QB.
6:00:A brutal break for the Patriots running-back room with Terrell Jennings placed on season-ending IR. He looked like the favorite for the RB3 spot, but now it’s up in the air once again.
Should be a nice opportunity for guys like JaMychal Hasty, Lan Larison, and others.
5:25: A.J. Brown is ready for his first game with the Patriots. As with Maye, I don’t expect to see Brown out there tonight.
5:22: It’s a welcome departure from the usual practice fields behind Gillette Stadium, even though I have to admit — New England’s new HQ, the New Balance Athletics Center, is a pretty sweet spot.
Here’s a look at the new digs, as well as a video tour of the facility:
5:15: Welcome back to Gillette Stadium!
Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.
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