FOXBORO, Mass. (WPRI) — The Mike Vrabel era is about to begin in earnest.
The New England Patriots will kick off their season on Sunday at home against old friend Pete Carroll the Las Vegas Raiders.
Both teams are coming off last place, 4-13 finishes, so they’ll be looking to start the season on a positive note. Neither has been in the postseason since Jan. 15, 2021, when they were both bounced by a higher-seeded team in the Wild Card round. (Coincidentally, they had matching records that season too, both going 10-7.)
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The Patriots will be without star corner Christian Gonzalez, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since late July. His backup, Charles Woods, is listed as questionable on the team’s injury report, along with rookie left tackle Will Campbell, who was limited at practice this week due to an ankle injury.
Two other players are listed as “unspecified” for Sunday’s game: defensive tackle Christian Barmore and wide receiver Efton Chism III. Barmore, who missed much of last season due to blood clots, was also limited at practice, but the report says it’s “not injury related.” Chism was a full participant this week, despite an apparent knee injury.
Campbell, drafted fourth overall out of LSU, is slated to get the start alongside left guard Jared Wilson, who was drafted by the Patriots in the third round out of Georgia. The team also bolstered its line by signing veterans Morgan Moses and Garrett Bradbury in the offseason.
Fans will get their first look at Stefon Diggs in a Patriots uniform. The former Vikings, Bills and Texans wideout was signed in the offseason as another weapon for Drake Maye, but didn’t suit up during the preseason while completing his recovery from an ACL tear.
All eyes will be on the second-year quarterback as fans hope to see him further grow into his role as a leader on offense, as well as a team captain.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. on WPRI 12.
Be sure to join us for New England Nation at 11:30 a.m. on FOX Providence. Sam, Morgan and Gresh will get you ready for kickoff with insight, analysis and interviews, plus their predictions for the final score.
The game’s on 12! Watch the Patriots take on the Raiders at 1 p.m. Sunday on WPRI 12.
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