New England Patriots

Live updates from the Patriots-Redskins preseason opener

Follow the latest reports and updates from Gillette Stadium as the Patriots face the Redskins.

Ralph Webb scores a Patriots touchdown in preseason.
Ralph Webb scores a Patriots touchdown in preseason against Washington. AP Photo/Charles Krupa

By Hayden Bird

3 minutes to read

The Patriots open the 2018 preseason by welcoming Washington to Gillette Stadium. It’s the first opportunity for fans to see the team play against an opponent, and undoubtedly provides a chance for rookies and young players to shine.

Follow the latest reports and updates from Gillette Stadium as the Patriots face the Redskins:

(Preseason) comeback complete (10:40 p.m.)

After falling behind 17-0 in the first half, the Patriots rallied to a 26-17 preseason win over Washington:

A fumble, a stumble, but an eventual touchdown nonetheless (10:27 p.m.)

Geneo Grissom recovered a fumble and nearly ran it back for a touchdown, but was tackled at the one-yard line after Patriots defensive back Ryan Lewis failed to take note of the looming Washington tackler.

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Ultimately, it was a moot point, as Webb scored his second touchdown of the night (and added a second two-point conversion) to give the Patriots a 26-17 lead late in the fourth quarter.

The Danny Etling era has begun (10:14 p.m.)

Patriots seventh round pick Danny Etling, a quarterback from LSU, has entered the game:

Rookie running back spearheads the comeback (10:06 p.m.)

Going 90 yards in 16 plays (taking 8:05 off the clock), the Patriots took the lead on a touchdown and two-point conversion.

Undrafted running back Ralph Webb led the charge, rushing for 31 yards on the drive, including the eight-yard touchdown. He also caught the two-point conversion to give the Patriots an 18-17 lead in the fourth quarter:

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Patriots offense puts together an epic drive (9:35 p.m.)

After being held without a touchdown in the first half, the Patriots drove 84 yards on a remarkable 19 plays to cut the score to 17-10. Jeremy Hill scored on a one-yard run:

Bill Belichick was not happy with the first half (9:22 p.m.)

After going down 17-0 and finishing the first half with only a field goal, Bill Belichick was predictably unhappy with the Patriots’ early preseason performance in a short interview:

Jordan Richards receiving medical attention after blindside block (9:02 p.m.)

After getting hit with a blindside block, safety Jordan Richards exited the game, heading to the medical tent:

Washington got downfield on a big play from Cam Sims

A Patriots rookie defensive back making a good impression (8:36 p.m.)

Though he’s battled injury issues, rookie cornerback Keion Crossen has impressed in training camp. In the preseason opener, Crossen made a pass breakup on a third down against Washington in the second quarter, drawing plaudits:

Here are a few things to know about Crossen, who the Patriots selected with the 243rd pick (in the seventh round) in the 2018 draft.

Patriots offense struggles in the first quarter (8:24 p.m.)

The Patriots played the first team defense for much of the first quarter, but there were a few noticeable absentees:

And with Tom Brady enjoying a night off, the offense struggled to find an early gear:

Washington’s opening score from Byron Marshall:

Brian Hoyer gets the start for the Patriots, with Julian Edelman in the lineup (7:44 p.m.)

Tom Brady will have the night off in the Patriots’ preseason opener, with backup Brian Hoyer taking the field for the team’s opening offensive series. Elsewhere, Julian Edelman gets to start after missing the entire 2017 season due to injury.

Julian Edelman, back from an ACL injury, showed his trademark sprint out of the tunnel (7:29 p.m.)

Tom Brady warmed up before the game throwing to newly signed receiver Eric Decker (7:15 p.m.)

Here’s a list of Patriots who are not on the field ahead of kickoff (6:59 p.m.)

Tom Brady reportedly getting added incentives to his contract, not likely to play in preseason opener (1:35 p.m.)

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is reportedly getting $5 million in added performance-based incentives to his contract, according to an ESPN report.

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And while Brady isn’t expected to play tonight, he is in the building:

Patriots rookies finally get real numbers (11 a.m.)

Having not given the rookies real jersey numbers through the entirety of offseason activities and the first few weeks of training camp, the Patriots finally have a normal looking roster. Here’s what number each rookie will wear in the preseason opener:

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