Send NESN.com Patriots Reporter Jeff Howe a Question for His Weekly Mailbag

FOXBORO, Mass. — It's a big week for the Patriots as they prepare for their third preseason game, which takes place Saturday in Detroit, and that performance could signify something a little closer to the team's actual depth chart.

While it's an important stepping stone for everyone at the top of the roster, this week is also a matter of survival for about three dozen players at the bottom of the roster. They Patriots must trim down to 80 players next Tuesday and then to 53 players Sept. 3, meaning they'll send 37 guys to the unemployment line.

There's no doubt that they'll be cutting some real talent, whether it's in the form of a proven veteran or a promising youngster. Next week will be a very busy one in Foxboro and the NFL's other 31 cities.

Do you have any questions about the depth chart, player movement or anything else that's going on with the Patriots? Leave them here in NESN.com Patriots reporter Jeff Howe's mailbag, and come back Friday to see if he answered your inquiry.

Leave your question for Jeff Howe's mailbag in the comments section below, send them to him via Twitter, or send them here . Jeff will pick a few questions to answer every week. Be sure to check back to see if your question was answered by Jeff.