The New England Patriots will open their preseason against the Washington Football Team tonight, and the game will be the first opportunity for Mac Jones to showcase his talents. It also will give him a chance to don his new jersey for the first time.
The Patriots unveiled the jersey numbers for their 2021 rookie class ahead of Thursday’s game, and Jones will wear No. 10 — the same number he wore during his college career at the University of Alabama. New England later picked the 22-year-old in the first round of this year’s draft, investing the 15th overall selection in him.
Jones is not the only rookie to take the field against Washington. While safety Joshuah Bledsoe (34) and linebacker Cameron McGrone (45) remain on the non-football injury list, the rest of the Patriots’ rookies will play: Jones is joined by defensive tackle Christian Barmore (70), linebacker Ronnie Perkins (51), running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38), offensive lineman William Sherman (68), wide receiver Tre Nixon (87), kicker Quinn Nordin (3).