FOXBORO – Some of the Patriots opened the preseason Thursday night.
There were a host of notable others who will wait for another occasion to begin their respective 2026 campaigns.
New England hosted the Colts for the curtain raiser at Gillette Stadium on Aug. 13, and eight players weren’t spotted in uniform. They joined a host of other headliners who didn’t see action in the first half on a seasonable summer evening.
Which Patriots were inactive?
Christian Gonzalez led the inactives – none of which were officially announced by the team. The cornerback is in the midst of contract negotiations with the Patriots and could be in line for a nine-figure payday. Gonzalez also suffered what’s believed to be a minor ankle injury in a recent practice, a reason for his absence from recent joint practices with Indianapolis offered by coach Mike Vrabel.
Outside linebacker Harold Landry III, defensive back Charles Woods, special teams fixture Brenden Schooler, long snapper Julian Ashby, linebacker Christian Elliss, receiver Kyle Dixon and defensive lineman Christian Barmore were among those who didn’t dress for New England. Landry is on the physically unable to perform list after offseason knee surgery and Woods suffered an undisclosed injury early in camp. Schooler opened the summer on the non-football injury/illness list.
Those missing Patriots players weren’t alone.
Which Patriots stayed on sidelines?
The offense didn’t feature quarterback Drake Maye, running backs Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson, receivers AJ Brown and Romeo Doubs, tight end Hunter Henry, tackles Will Campbell and Morgan Moses, guards Mike Onwenu and Alijah Vera-Tucker or center Jared Wilson at any point during the opening 30 minutes. Vrabel announced during the week Maye would be among those not playing after participating in joint practices.
Gonzalez, Elliss and Barmore joined dressed defensive regulars Dre’Mont Jones, Milton Williams, Robert Spillane, Carlton Davis III, Marcus Jones, Craig Woodson and Kevin Byard III among those who didn’t see action in the first half. Jones and Byard were veteran additions in the offseason while Spillane recovered from an ankle injury just in time to start Super Bowl LX against the Seahawks. Davis, Jones and Woodson are all returning regulars in the secondary with Gonzalez.
DeVito, Williams lead offense in 1st half
Tommy DeVito threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Williams while handing New England a 10-7 lead at the break. The Patriots forced three turnovers and converted on the last, a fumble by Anthony Richardson Sr. with the Colts driving inside the New England 25. Jeremiah Pharms Jr. also forced a fumble by running back Seth McGowan inside the Patriots 5, with Dell Pettus pouncing on the loose ball.
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This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Who played, and who didn't in Patriots first preseason game on Aug. 13