Tom Brady and other Patriots starters are expected to make their preseason debuts Saturday in the second preseason game vs. the Texans in Houston, but Rob Gronkowski won't play, Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald reports.
Gronkowski, recovering from back surgery performed late last season, hasn't played in a preseason game since 2012.
MORE PATRIOTS
- Report: Patriots fear rookie Derek Rivers lost for season with knee injury
- Freeney out there among the pass-rushing options available to Pats
- Pats have acquired one opponent from each of their joint practices recently - who's it gonna be this time?
- Who's the most overrated Patriot?
Brady and new acquisitions Brandin Cooks at wide receiver and Mike Gillislee at running back, along with wide receiver Julian Edelman and other starters, did not play in the Patriots' preseason opener against the Jaguars last week in Foxboro. The Patriots and Texans have been conducting joint practices at the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia and Howe reports the plan all week has been to have the starters participate in the game Saturday night.
Of course, Bill Belichick reserves the right to change those plans.
New England Patriots
Find the latest New England Patriots news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Boston.
The Pats will return to the site of their last victory, NRG Stadium in Houston, where New England won Super Bowl 51 over the Falcons in February, to play the Texans.