Patriots aren’t using final week of 2023 season to find out what they have in young players

FOXBORO — The Patriots aren’t using Week 18 as a scouting mission for the 2024 season.

Head coach Bill Belichick was asked Wednesday morning if the Patriots might try to get some lesser-used players, like rookie center Jake Andrews or recently-claimed cornerback Marco Wilson, snaps in the final week of a lost 2023 season.

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“We’re going to get ready to play the guys who deserve to play against the Jets,” Belichick said. “I think they all want to play, and we’ll play them.”

Offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien already confirmed Tuesday that Bailey Zappe would start at quarterback. Multiple starters will be out, however. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson, wide receivers Kendrick Bourne and JuJu Smith-Schuster, left guard Cole Strange, outside linebacker Matthew Judon and cornerback Christian Gonzalez are all on injured reserve. Wide receiver DeVante Parker, tight end Hunter Henry, offensive tackle Trent Brown and safety Jabrill Peppers all either didn’t play in or didn’t finish Sunday’s loss to the Bills.

That will almost certainly lead to more playing time for less experienced players like running back Kevin Harris, wide receivers DeMario Douglas and Tyquan Thornton and cornerbacks Shaun Wade and Alex Austin.

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