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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Welcome to Gillette Stadium, where the New England Patriots host the Carolina Panthers in preseason action (7:30 p.m. ET). Weather conditions: Temperatures are in the low 70s and expected to be in the high 60s by kickoff. Though it is cloudy, it doesn't appear as if rain is in the forecast. Those not expected to play: Friday, a list of Patriots not expected to play was posted. Carolina also has some key players out tonight. We will circle back after warm-ups to confirm which Patriots are not in uniform tonight. Scouts in the house: The Ravens, Lions, Texans, Chiefs, Dolphins, Vikings, Giants, Steelers and Buccaneers are teams with scouts scheduled to be in attendance. The Patriots open the season with road games against the Dolphins and Vikings, and the Panthers open with the Buccaneers, Lions, Steelers and Ravens. No field markings at Gillette: In a reminder that this is just preseason football, there is once again no Patriots logo at midfield and nothing in the end zones, making this a stripped-down version of the field we're accustomed to seeing at home. GameDay cover: Bill Belichick is on the cover of the GameDay program being sold at Gillette Stadium tonight. Cheffers gets the call: Carl Cheffers has been assigned as tonight's referee. Through two weeks of the preseason, his crew has called 21 and 24 accepted penalties, respectively. National Anthem: Performed by Nicole Burke of Littelton, Mass. Color Guard: Watertown (Mass.) Police Department Honor Guard.
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