FOXBORO — Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said this week that the players with the least experience would play the most in the Patriots’ preseason opener against the Houston Texans. That meant that Bailey Zappe got the start while Mac Jones stayed on the sideline in the 20-9 loss.

Zappe was surrounded by Conor McDermott, Atonio Mafi, James Ferentz, Kody Russey and Sidy Sow on the offensive line and running back Pierre Strong, wide receivers Kayshon Boutte and Demario Douglas and tight ends Matt Sokol and Anthony Firsker at the skill positions as the Patriots’ offense took the field. Mafi, Sow, Boutte and Douglas all are rookies.

Patriots offensive linemen Trent Brown, Riley Reiff and David Andrews dressed but stayed on the bench in sneakers and without helmets. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson, veteran wide receivers DeVante Parker, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Kendrick Bourne and tight ends Hunter Henry and Mike Gesick were also in the no-helmet club. That’s typically a good indication for a player’s status on the roster.

Defensively, some Patriots veterans were part of the starting lineup. The team’s starters were defensive linemen Carl Davis and Daniel Ekuale, edge defenders Anfernee Jennings and Keion White, linebackers Jahlani Tavai and Mack Wilson, cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez and Jack Jones, and safeties Joshuah Bledsoe, Jalen Mills and Myles Bryant. Gonzalez and White were the Patriots’ first- and second-round picks, respectively.

Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones, safeties Kyle Dugger, Adrian Phillips and Jabrill Peppers, defensive linemen Deatrich Wise, Christian Barmore, Lawrence Guy and Davon Godchaux, edge defenders Josh Uche and Matthew Judon and linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley dressed but stayed on the sideline. Rookie safety/linebacker Marte Mapu, who’s donned a red non-contact jersey in training camp, dressed but held a clipboard standing next to linebackers coach/defensive play-caller Steve Belichick.

Bill Belichick downplayed Mapu’s assignment after the game and said he was hearing the call and following the game.

“Somebody’s going to do it,” Belichick said. “Player that’s not going to play in the game, that’s a way to keep them engaged and involved.”