FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots plan to have quarterback Tom Brady sit out Thursday nights preseason opener against the New Orleans Saints, a source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.?Jimmy Garoppolo will get the start.A source also told ESPN that Brady is one of several top players not expected to play. That group is expected to include tight end Rob Gronkowski and receivers Julian Edelman and Chris Hogan, among others.With Brady serving a four-game suspension to open the season as part of the NFLs Deflategate penalties, Patriots coach Bill Belichick said July 27 that the teams priority is to get Garoppolo ready for the start of the season and Brady will be the starter upon his return Oct. 9 against the Cleveland Browns.That was as expansive as Belichick has been on the quarterback situation through 12 training camp practices. He has deflected any questions on the topic, sometimes with annoyance.The Boston Herald first reported Wednesday that the Patriots planned to keep Brady out of the preseason opener.Last year, the Patriots planned to do the same in the preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers, but things shifted as the game approached, and Brady played two series before giving way to Garoppolo. At the time, the Patriots were still uncertain as to whether Brady would be available for the start of the 2015 regular season. There is no such uncertainty this year, which Garoppolo acknowledged Wednesday.Its different, for sure, keeps you on your toes, keeps you sharp, he said.Asked if hes happy with his progress at this point, Garoppolo said, Were moving in the right direction.As for the Saints, quarterback Drew Brees said Wednesday that he expects to play one series.Ecco Shoes Sale Outlet . The next step is a better finish. 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Cheap Ecco Shoes Online .com) - Yankee Stadium is the home of the Bronx Bombers, but on Sunday afternoon it will open its gates to host the latest addition of the Hudson River Rivalry.CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers running back Cameron Artis-Payne is expected to ease some of Jonathan Stewarts load this season in the running game.He showed Thursday night hes up to the task.Artis-Payne ran for 77 yards on 18 carries, and Graham Gano kicked six field goals as the Panthers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 18-6 in the final preseason game for both teams.Both teams rested their starters.Artis-Payne, a second-year player from Auburn, showed a strong burst and toughness. He also caught two passes for 18 yards, making a nifty cutback on one play to elude a defender and pick up a first down.Vision is a big thing for me, Artis-Payne said of his biggest improvement since last season. Being able to see and react to the defense. Just seeing stuff in the peripheral.Joe Webb started and played the entire game for the Panthers at quarterback.Landry Jones was ineffective for the Steelers, completing 4 of 5 passes for 29 yards and registering just one first down in four possessions. He was relieved by Bryn Renner, who didnt lead a scoring drive until the fourth quarter.To see the same energy (from the backups), the same intensity and same plays being made (as the starters) it lets you know that the guys understand the standards that have been set in Carolina, Panthers cornerback Bene Benwikere said.Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said the characteristics of a fourth preseason game is your ability to run the ball and stop the run. They did both better than we did.ROOKIE WATCHSteelers: Cornerback Artie Burns, the No. 25 pick in the draft, made his preseason debut after missing the last three games with a nagging quadriceps injury. He broke up a third-down pass intended for Marcus Lucas in the end zone to save a touchdown. He was a little upsset at himself he didnt come up with an interception.ddddddddddddanthers: Rookie cornerbacks James Bradberry and Daryl Worley, who was are expected to start, got the night off.POSITION BATTLESSteelers: Running back Daryl Richardson got the best of Fitzgerald Toussaint, rushing nine times for 45 yards and a touchdown.Panthers: Kevin Norwood, battling for the No. 5 receiver spot, might have had his hopes of making the 53-man roster dashed when he was carted to the locker room with a hip injury. Brenton Bersin, on the other hand, had six catches for 89 yards.QUOTABLE:Steelers: Im glad I could show them what I could. -- Steelers rookie CB Artie Burns on his debut.Panthers: Guys were just flying around. -- Panthers LB David Mayo.INJURY UPDATESteelers: Linebackers Travis Feeney (possible concussion), Anthony Chickillo (right foot) and defensive end Ricardo Mathews (neck) left early.Panthers: Rookie offensive tackle Jordan Rigsbee left with a sprained right knee.ROETHLISBERGER, NEWTON SITBen Roethlisberger didnt play, meaning he will head into the regular season having played only two possessions -- although both of those resulted in touchdowns. League MVP Cam Newton didnt play, either, finishing the preseason by leading 15 drives that resulted in just 13 points.GETTING HIS KICKSGano had no problems adjusting to new holder Andy Lee, acquired in a trade earlier this week. Gano was 6 of 7 on field goal attempts, with his only miss coming from 46 yards.GAME DELAYEDThe start of the game was delayed about 30 minutes because of heavy rains and lightning in the area.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '