A roster of 90 will soon become a roster of 53 for the New England Patriots. But on the final Sunday night of August, there was a final game to play.

It resulted in a 20-10 loss to the Washington Commanders.

Here’s a look back on the preseason closer before head coach Jerod Mayo, executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf and Co. open the NFL’s cutdown deadline.

As Brissett exits, Maye makes most of third audition

The case to be the Week 1 starter continued at Commanders Field, where the home team announced 34 inactive players.

Jacoby Brissett got the nod and saw a single series. It resulted in a punt after the veteran quarterback sustained a sack that left him checking his right shoulder. Announced as questionable to return, he finished 2-of-4 passing for 19 yards before it was time for the No. 3 overall pick out of the University of North Carolina.

Drake Maye went 5-of-6 on his initial drive. It included completions of 29 yards and 16 yards as well as a third-and-14 scramble for 17 yards. And it ended in the end zone from shotgun on a quick pass into the flat. His arm, mobility and downfield eyes elevated above his pass protection. Hit hard yet not sacked, Maye finished 13-of-20 for 126 yards with one official touchdown. A deep scoring strike was called back by a penalty while running the two-minute offense. Fellow rookie Joe Milton III entered the huddle at the 10:28 mark in the third quarter. Bailey Zappe followed with 2:58 still to tick in the fourth quarter.

Ugly night all around for latest O-line combination

After an oblique injury sidelined Vederian Lowe from the blindside, the Patriots turned to a different top combination in practice. By Sunday, four of the five offensive linemen remained, with the lone exception being a rested captain in David Andrews.

The starters included Chukwuma Okorafor at left tackle, Sidy Sow at left guard, Nick Leverett at center, rookie Layden Robinson at right guard and Mike Onwenu at right tackle. An early sack by Washington’s K.J. Henry was set up by a New England collision up front. There were also a pair of botched snaps from the center. But the ugly outing did not end there. There would be a holding penalty from the left guard, a false start and a holding call from the right guard, plus four illegal formations altogether from the bookends. After a pair were declined against Okorafor, another wiped out a 48-yard touchdown.

Michael Jordan subbed into the lineup with just over a minute to go before halftime. He did as Sow, a 13-game starter as a rookie last campaign, limped into the blue medical tent and was downgraded to out with an ankle injury. A holding call was soon assigned to his replacement.

Keeping six or seven wideouts

With Kendrick Bourne residing on the physically unable to perform list for all of training camp, as many as seven wide receivers could outlast Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline.

DeMario Douglas, Tyquan Thornton and K.J. Osborn started and combined to catch six catches for 35 yards in the preseason finale. They’re in the plan. The same goes for rookies.

Ja’Lynn Polk continued to look readymade on Sunday. The No. 37 overall pick stepped in to log two receptions for 33 yards, including a crosser that gained 29. Meanwhile, Javon Baker operated as a gunner on the punt unit and added two catches for 33 yards on a team-high seven targets. The No. 110 overall pick worked into the second half. So did Kayshon Boutte and Jalen Reagor, who were kept catchless and may be chasing the same spot. Matt Landers, a member of the Cleveland Browns until last week, used his length and speed to hitch and glide for 34 yards in the final quarter.

Last backfield push

JaMycal Hasty brings different dimensions to a running back room led by Rhamondre Stevenson. But being different could help the 5-foot-8, 205-pounder stick around on special teams and in the screen game.

Last November’s waiver claim would be the next back in after Antonio Gibson tallied 30 scrimmage yards on the opening drive against his former club. And with efficiency, Hasty proceeded to handle four carries for 21 yards along with three catches for 24 yards.

Kevin Harris had his moment, too. The 2022 draft choice out of South Carolina got the Patriots on the board with a diving catch-and-run touchdown over the right pylon from 18 yards out in the first quarter. Undrafted free agents Deshaun Fenwick and Terrell Jennings handled the volume after halftime. The latter rookie tallied six rushes for a team-best 36 yards on the ground.

Bell gets the start at tight end

It’s possible that the next tight end up after Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper is not yet in Foxborough. But on Sunday, with both veterans looking on, another possibility was left open.

Rookie Jaheim Bell started in “11” personnel. The last selection from April’s Patriots draft class caught his initial target over the middle for six yards. A crosser for 16 yards came in the fourth quarter for the flex tight end via South Carolina and Florida State.

Mitchell Wilcox was a spectator for the depth chart after recently being a limited practice participant.

Giles-Harris picks while Elliss leads Patriots in tackles

Joe Giles-Harris left a mark on a night that kicked off with a sack by defensive end Keion White.

The holdover from New England’s 2023 practice squad dropped into his coverage depth with 8:22 to go before intermission. From there at midfield, he read Washington quarterback Jeff Driskel’s eyes and intercepted a pass headed toward wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley.

Also not lost in the linebacker mix was Christian Eliss, an off-the-ball starter next to Jahlani Tavai on Sunday. The 2021 UDFA out of Idaho capped off a strong preseason with a team-high 11 tackles and one for loss. However, he went to the sideline late in the third after a hit to the helmet and was ruled out with a head injury.

Around the corner for New England

Christian Gonzalez, Marcus Jones and the tenured Jonathan Jones are locked in at cornerback as September nears. All but the third name in that list started for the Patriots on Sunday.

The secondary for the summer finale also included corner Marco Wilson, who quickly made an upending third-and-10 tackle, while safeties Joshuah Bledsoe and Jaylinn Hawkins both got their hands on passes.

As did Isaiah Bolden, Alex Austin and rookie Marcellas Dial in a logjam to remain beyond the preseason. Shaun Wade added an out-of-bounds tackle for a loss of three to force the punt team on. But it was a long evening for Azizi Hearn, whose coverage was tested on what became 64 total yards of defensive pass interference and points.

Slye goes long

Joey Slye appeared in 40 games with Washington and set the franchise record with a 61-yard field goal last year. He returned Sunday with New England to try more from deep.

The well-traveled kicker split kickoff duties and missed both of his attempted field goals. The first came from 64 yards away going into halftime. The second came from 60 yards away as the preseason expired.

Chad Ryland made his lone extra point in the last stage of the competition. The sophomore by way of Eastern Michigan and Maryland would convert from 38 yards out in the third quarter.