The New England Patriots take on the New Orleans Saints in a preseason game at Gillette Stadium on Thursday, August 11, 2016.
New England Patriots quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo (10) and Jacoby Brissett (7) take the field before a preseason NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski strikes a pose before a preseason NFL football game between the Patriots and the New Orleans Saints on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, left, speaks to Sean Payton before a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo warms up before the team's preseason NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots fullback James Develin (46) and tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) warm up before a preseason NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo signals a score during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
Sports agent Drew Rosenhaus, left, speaks with New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski on the sideline before a preseason NFL football game between the Patriots and the New Orleans Saints Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia watches from the sideline during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches from the sideline during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) hands off to running back LeGarrette Blount (29) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, left, looks for a receiver as New Orleans Saints defensive end Bobby Richardson (98) is blocked during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) passes against the rush of New England Patriots defenders during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
New England Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins (91) runs for the end zone past New Orleans Saints guard Senio Kelemete (65) after intercepting a pass during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins (91) celebrates his touchdown after intercepting against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) celebrates with tackle Nate Solder (77) after a two-point conversion by James White during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, right, congratulates linebacker Jamie Collins (91) who scored a touchdown on an interception against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) scores a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Garrett Grayson (18) scores on a 2-point conversion over New England Patriots safety Patrick Chung (23) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett (88) and New Orleans Saints safety Kenny Vaccaro (32) fight for the ball during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. The pass was incomplete. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) passes as New Orleans Saints defensive end Obum Gwacham (58) rushes during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
New Orleans Saints defensive tackle David Onyemata (93) tries to get past a block by New England Patriots guard Joe Thuney (62) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) passes to running back James White, foreground, during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) eludes New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Nick Fairley (90) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) passes against the New Orleans Saints during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots running back Tyler Gaffney (36) runs for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick instructs New England Patriots tight end A.J. Derby during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots cornerback Cre'von LeBlanc, rear, makes an interception for a touchback on a pass intended for New Orleans Saints wide receiver R.J. Harris (14) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
New England Patriots defensive lineman Trey Flowers, right, sacks New Orleans Saints quarterback Luke McCown, causing a fumble during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. Flowers recovered the ball and ran for a touchdown. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots defensive lineman Trey Flowers, left, picks up a fumble by New Orleans Saints quarterback Luke McCown (7) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. Flowers ran for a touchdown. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots defensive lineman Trey Flowers, right, sacks New Orleans Saints quarterback Luke McCown, causing a fumble during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. Flowers recovered the ball and ran for a touchdown. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots defensive lineman Trey Flowers celebrates after recovering a fumble by New Orleans Saints quarterback Luke McCown and running for a touchdown during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots defensive lineman Trey Flowers, right, celebrates with Malcom Brown after recovering a fumble by New Orleans Saints quarterback Luke McCown and running for a touchdown during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, left, speaks with New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees at midfield after a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 34-22. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler, left, speaks to New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees at midfield after a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 34-22. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett passes against the New Orleans Saints during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, left, speaks with New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick at midfield after a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 34-22. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo speaks to the media after a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 34-22. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick speaks to the media after a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 34-22. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) -- Jimmy Garoppolo made his preseason debut, spreading the ball around for 168 yards, and Jamie Collins added a 43-yard interception return for a touchdown as the New England Patriots beat the New Orleans Saints 34-22 on Thursday night.
Garoppolo played the entire first half as he preps to start the first four games of the regular season in place of Tom Brady, who will be serving a suspension for his involvement in the "Deflategate" case. Brady was not in the building Thursday, excused by the team to attend memorial services for a family member.
Saints running back Mark Ingram had an early fumble, but also had two 1-yard touchdown runs in an extended night that saw him play most of the first half. Second-year quarterback Garrett Grayson threw an early interception, but completed a few long passes to finish 10 for 16 for 133 yards.
Defensive end Kasim Edebali had two first-quarter sacks.
After a slow start, Garoppolo completed several long passes and finished 11 of 18. He converted a fourth-down run.
Trey Flowers added a 17-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, scooping up the loose ball created by his sack of Luke McCown.
INJURY UPDATE
Patriots: It wasn't all good news for New England's offense. It likely lost rookie receiver Malcolm Mitchell for the foreseeable future after he sustained a left elbow injury late in the second quarter.
Mitchell, a fourth-round draft pick out of Georgia, caught a pass near the sideline. But as he was dragged down from behind by Saints cornerback De'Vante Harris, Mitchell's arm bent awkwardly as he landed on the ground. He held his elbow as he was helped to the locker room by trainers.
ROOKIE WATCH
Saints: WR Michael Thomas was targeted five times in the first half. He caught four for 67 yards, including a long of 28.
Patriots: CB Cyrus Jones, New England's top pick of the second round, had a fumble recovery and started in the base defense while handling the early punt return duties. Undrafted free agent CB Cre'von LeBlanc might have had the defensive play of the night, intercepting McCown's pass in the end zone with one hand. LG Joe Thuney also was in the starting lineup.
SHORT TIMER
Garoppolo's extended night was in contrast to a very short one for Saints quarterback Drew Brees. He played in only the opening series of the game before taking a seat. He made the most of it, completing a 37-yard pass to Brandin Cooks on the first offensive play of the night.
FAVORITE TARGET
Martellus Bennett, who New England acquired from the Bears in an offseason trade, was Garoppolo's favorite target early on. He was targeted four times and had three receptions for 33 yards.
MISSING IN ACTION
Patriots:Including Brady, a total of 20 players did not play for New England. The list included TE Rob Gronkowski, WRs Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola and Chris Hogan, CB Logan Ryan and RB Dion Lewis. Also out was Rob Ninkovich, who has been absent since leaving practice Tuesday with an arm injury.
Saints:Eight players did not see action, including WR Jake Lampman and CBs Keenan Lewis and Damian Swann.
QUOTABLE
Saints: "I think that was important. I really came out and the first play, I said, 'Hey, got to set the tone. Start the game off right,'" Edebali said. "I thought (the defense) was able to do that, and we just have to continue to be better."
Patriots:"The scramble play, it didn't make the sideline very happy. But it was fourth down, so the football player inside of me kicked in, I guess," Garoppolo said of his 4-yard run in in the second quarter to pick up a first down.
