FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo gets his last and probably best chance in the preseason to prepare to be the opening night starter if Tom Brady’s suspension holds.

Brady often sits out the entirety of the fourth exhibition game, and there’s even more reason for him to hold a clipboard tonight when the Patriots host the New York Giants in the final preseason game.

Garoppolo threw only 27 passes last year, most of it in garbage time. So any snaps he can get will be helpful if he’s needed to fill in for the reigning Super Bowl MVP.

The NFL found that Brady was “at least generally aware”of a scheme to illegally deflate footballs used in the AFC title game in January against Indianapolis. Appeals inside the league failed, so the quarterback went to federal court for help.

Meanwhile, someone needs to take the field on Sept. 10 for the opener against Pittsburgh. If the Patriots can’t be sure of the player who has been a steady presence for 13 of the past 14 seasons, they’ll need Garoppolo to do it. The second year second-rounder is expected to be the quarterback of the future. Patriots fans could get a sneak peak at that future against the Giants.

The Giants haven’t played well in the preseason and Tom Coughlin plans to use his starters for only a series or two. Victor Cruz, trying to return from a second knee surgery in as many years, is out with a calf injury. He has not played in a preseason game.

Coughlin said this is a game to determine the last few roster spots, especially with the fringe players getting extra playing time.

“It’s spelled opportunity,” Coughlin said.