After a lighter session yesterday, the Patriots were back in pads on the practice field. Can you believe it’s just over three weeks until the first game of the season against Miami?
Here are the Tweets of Note from the fourth media attended practice.
Many will be glad to hear that UDFA WR Jeff Thomas finally graced the practice field today for the first time. He was involved in the early drills before being limited for the remainder of the session today.
An exciting prospect, but he won’t make the roster if he can’t stay on the field to impress the coaching staff. Here’s hoping he can get some reps in the next few days so we can get a real look at him.
Attendance/Injury update:
New players absent: CB Stephon Gilmore, S Adrian Phillips, and OL Yodney Cajuste.
Could be a case of managing workloads, especially for players like Cajuste who is coming off a season-ending injury last year.
Again, WR N’Keal Harry, DE Derek Rivers, DL Beau Allen, and DL Tashawn Bower were all missing. Still waiting on news about why these guys can’t be out there right now, but again let’s just hope they’re back ASAP.
Michel and Miller remain on the PUP/active list.
Players returning: WR Jeff Thomas and LB Anfernee Jennings
Great that both rookies were able to suit up for the first time today, even if Thomas didn’t fully participate in the entire practice. Jennings will have to get stuck in with reps to support the already thin LB group.
Concerning for Jules, he’s had a stop-start sort of week so far, apparently injuring his leg during practice today. The position leader also didn’t attend his scheduled press conference after the session. The team could play this safe and hold Edelman out to let him recover, something I’m fine with. The situation is more unsettling given his history, we need him Week 1.
At least if one QB has a bad day, another shows improvement. Today’s day was for Cam Newton, nice to hear he’s showing progression and a chance to show off his mobility.
Stidham saw fewer reps in a day which wasn’t his best, Hoyer also had a less productive session by reports.
Some have said this is the beginning of separation in Newton winning the race to the starting job, I don’t think it is, still a long a way to go.
With Cajuste missing today, more rep opportunities fell to players like OL Korey Cunningham who made Mike Giardi’s block of the day. With the LT-RG positions seemingly set, the battle for the new starting RT will be a fun one to see progress.