Brady will start in Patriots preseason finale; Garoppolo not expected to play

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Tom Brady will start at quarterback for the Patriots Thursday night against the Giants. This will be the 17-year veteran's final action prior to his four-game suspension, which kicks in Saturday at 4 p.m.

The Patriots will keep temporary starter Jimmy Garoppolo out of harm's way. He is not expected to play at all. 

Brady will give way to rookie Jacoby Brissett at some point in the game. Brissett was 9-for-9 last week in the late stages of New England's preseason game against Carolina. He could use as much run as possible this week since he'll be the primary backup to Garoppolo through September, unless the Patriots make an unexpected move for a veteran. 

READ MORE HERE: Curran on Brady not letting go, even temporarily.

Brady expressed his desire to play this week, but after a shaky performance from Garoppolo last week against the Panthers, there was a school of thought that it was more urgent for Garoppolo to get himself right than for Brady to play.

Apparently the risk of getting Garoppolo dinged and being left with Brissett wasn't worth the possible reward of Garoppolo having a feel-good performance. 

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