5:30 p.m. ET: It sounds like newly-signed wide receiver Reggie Wayne will make his New England Patriots preseason debut Friday night.

ESPN's Mike Reiss, among other reporters in Charlotte, is reporting Wayne was the first player on the field before the Patriots take on the Carolina Panthers in their all-important third preseason game.

Wayne officially signed with the Patriots on Tuesday and practiced twice with the team before flying to Charlotte on Thursday.

Don't expect to see wide receivers Brandon LaFell and Josh Boyce; cornerback Darryl Roberts; linebacker Dane Fletcher; offensive linemen Marcus Cannon, Chris Barker and Bryan Stork; and defensive linemen Chris Jones and Joe Vellano, all of whom didn't practice Tuesday or Wednesday.

Wide receiver Aaron Dobson; pass rushers Eric Martin, Trey Flowers and Rufus Johnson; offensive linemen Ryan Wendell and Caylin Hauptmann, and tight end Scott Chandler practiced this week but didn't suit up against the New Orleans Saints on Saturday, so they're "questionable" to play tonight. Receiver Julian Edelman also practiced this week after not playing against the Saints, but he won't face the Panthers, the Boston Herald's Jeff Howe reported Friday.

Quarterback Ryan Lindley, wide receiver Matthew Slater, running backs Tony Creecy and Brandon Bolden, linebackers Jerod Mayo and Dont'a Hightower, and tight end Rob Gronkowski were in uniform but didn't play against the Saints and have been practicing, so they're "probable" to play Friday night.

Starting quarterback Tom Brady should see more reps against the Panthers than he received in the Patriots' first two preseason games. Lindley has yet to play in a preseason game despite being the Patriots' third-string quarterback.

The Patriots will have to cut down their roster from 84 to 75 players before their preseason finale next Thursday against the New York Giants. That means some roster competition could be settled tonight with strong performances. Check out which position battles we'll be watching closely.

Thumbnail photo via Doug Kyed/NESN