The Patriots were back on the field in full pads and under pouring rain for their fourth training camp practice on Sunday. The injuries continue to add up, though it would appear they’ve avoided any season-enders so far.
As always, injuries are the great equalizer that no one can ever see coming. We spend all offseason wondering how certain new additions will contribute and then boom, a few days into camp and down they go. We’ll continue to monitor those situations as guys return and/or disappear.
Here are the tweets that stood out today:
WR Chris Hogan suffered an apparent right shoulder injury. Trainers examined him and he stayed on the field, but didn’t return to practice.
— Kevin Duffy (@KevinRDuffy) July 31, 2016
Minor buzzkill here. Hopefully it’s nothing more than a stinger and not something like a low grade separated shoulder that’s going to linger all season.
Rob Ninkovich started 11s as the third linebacker with Hightower and Collins
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) July 31, 2016
Starting to believe Nink to LB is more than rounding our emergency depth. He played some outside linebacker in his first couple years with the Pats, so it wouldn’t be that much of a departure. Still wondering how they use him with Hightower and Collins since all seem to be more OLBs and I’m praying that Jonathan Freeny isn’t still set to play a significant role at MLB.
Not at practice: Keshawn Martin, Dion Lewis, Nate Ebner, Tre Jackson, Jonathan Cooper, Bryan Stork
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) July 31, 2016
Keshawn Martin better get back quick, he’s at the bottom of the 53-man as it is and Dobson and Carter are both standing out early. Stork’s inability to make it through a training camp without getting dinged is growing worrisome.
TE dominance in end zone by Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett the story at a rainy Patriots morning practice. Gronk raises energy level.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) July 31, 2016
This is going to be fun this year. If the Pats get full seasons out of both Gronk and Bennett I don’t see how they’re not in the Super Bowl come February.
DeAndre Carter had the most impressive catch in 1-on-1s. Brissett put it right on the money for a 40ish yard TD.
— Kevin Duffy (@KevinRDuffy) July 31, 2016
Excited to see Carter in preseason games. He’s going to get a ton of playing time. Dobson stood out today as well and he’s another one to see how he looks in a game. I don’t need to harp on him every day with “he looked good, but he’s looked good before and then drops the ball or falls down or gets hurt.” You get it by this point. We’ll see.
Joe Thuney has looked strong in 1v1s
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) July 31, 2016
Recurring theme of the coverage from camp is how Thuney has stepped right into things and looked like he fits. Would be nice to get some consistency out of the guard spot. Since Mankins left there really hasn’t been a consistent anchor on the inside.
#Patriots Malcolm Mitchell is having a quality day after missing practice Saturday. Big winner in 1on1 drills.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) July 31, 2016
Mitchell was out of practice yesterday but back today, so that’s a good sign for him. He, Thuney and Cyrus Jones have all garnered positive attention from the rookie class.
Patriots Hall of Famer Kevin Faulk speaking to players following today’s rainy practice. Faulk induction tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/WgJFrOowiW
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) July 31, 2016
Looking forward to hearing Faulk’s speech tomorrow night and we’ll have Rick Starke there to cover it for the blog.
And lastly, late-breaking tweet…
Agents for Rob Gronkowski Drew, Jason Rosenhaus here at Pats today. Source says they’re working with team on new deal. Not imminent.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) July 31, 2016