After a couple of spirited and tough practices against the Texans this week in West Virginia, the teams meet in a preseason game before doing it for real in Week 3 in Foxboro. Here are some of the things we’ll be watching for.

The good news is that rookie edge player Deatrich Wise should be back to practice soon after the team returns from Houston.

With the retirement of Rob Ninkovich, the Patriots were in need of another player to step into that role heading into the future. For 2017, it sounds like rookie Derek Rivers might not be part of an immediate solution.

I love the job Austin Carr is doing so far in training camp. He’s done everything that they’ve asked from him and has outstanding hands

I’d expect to see Garoppolo play most of if not all of the first half. He should be able to lead the Patriots offense and get the unit clicking

Fans in New England had to endure five months without football and two days into training camp, it’s hard not to get fired up over every big play as the team begins getting ready for the upcoming season.

Thursday saw the absence of veteran linebacker Rob Ninkovich, but it appears whatever kept him off the field wasn’t injury-related.

Tom Brady shares his first arrival at Gillette Stadium for 2017 Training Camp over social media.