Patriots training camp live updates: Quick observations from physical Day 5
The Patriots put on pads for the first time in training camp on Monday morning.
FOXBOROUGH — The Patriots returned to the fields behind Gillette Stadium on Monday morning for the team’s fifth full practice of training camp.
Here are some quick takeaways from Monday’s practice in Foxborough:
Pads are finally put on
After a few extended walk-through practices, Monday’s practice finally felt like real football at Gillette Stadium.
For the first time in camp, the Patriots donned full pads and permitted live contact — leading to plenty of competitive blocking and passing drills. Bill Belichick noted that Monday’s practice would allow the team to focus more on pass protection and the run game.
However, some of those objectives were stunted a bit due to injury and some critical absences. It’s tough to really gauge all that much on a morning where so many key cogs were out of the equation.
Still, expect the competition at various spots of the roster (offensive line, cornerback, wide receiver) to finally start to take off as the intensity of camp begins to spike this week.
QBs/offense deal with both good and bad
Sunday marked a step in the right direction for the Patriots’ QBs and overall offense, especially with New England’s coaching staff opening things up beyond red-zone work.
Monday was generally another step in the right direction as far as the QB play, with Mac Jones going 8-for-10 on throws and Bailey Zappe completing 4-of-8 attempts. However, a majority of Jones’s competitions were via checkdowns and screen plays. JuJu Smith-Schuster reeled in four of Jones’s passes.
As expected, New England started to incorporate more runs plays during red zone drills, but New England’s defense feasted against a patchwork O-line for most of Monday’s practice. The absence of Rhamondre Stevenson loomed large, while Jabrill Peppers blew up a goal-line run with a tackle in the backfield.
Attendance report
Once again, running back Ty Montgomery was absent from Monday’s practice, with the veteran back still banged up after colliding with Terez Hall in the end zone last week. Hall and rookie Jake Andrews were also absent. Both Cody Davis and Mike Onewnu remain on the PUP, while offensive lineman Calvin Anderson remains on the non-football injury (NFI) list.
Rookie wideout Kayshon Boutte returned to practice after missing Sunday’s session due to an undisclosed ailment.
Judon, Brown and Stevenson limited
The intensity might have ramped up for Bill Belichick’s team on Monday. But three key cogs on New England’s roster were not present for the team’s competitive contact drills.
Matthew Judon and Trent Brown quickly made their way down the lower fields to work on their conditioning shortly after Monday’s practice started to begin in earnest. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson joined them about 20 minutes later.
Judon’s participation throughout camp has been something to keep tabs on, with the veteran pass rusher stating that his conditioning work and slower ramp-up was to be expected over the early days of training camp.
Despite taking part in a few snaps during competitive drills last Friday, Judon only played three snaps during Sunday’s practice, and wasn’t available at all on Monday. As expected, Judon has not said much when it comes to his current contract situation and whether or not that is influencing his participation.
Trent Brown’s participation bears watching, given his vital role as New England’s starting left tackle. After a rough minicamp where his conditioning was called into question, Belichick noted Monday morning that Brown is “lighter than he’s been” in previous seasons.
It remains to be seen what Brown’s issue is, but New England can’t afford to have the veteran tackle be injured or limited this season, given the lack of depth at the tackle spot.
As for Stevenson, his absence on Monday comes at a tough time, especially with New England ramping up their run-game reps now that the pads are on. Still feels like the Patriots could use another running back, especially with most of Monday’s reps centered on just Kevin Harris and Pierre Strong.
Harris earned a majority of the reps with Mac Jones on Monday.
O-line takes another hit
With Brown limited, the Patriots opted for Riley Reiff (LT) and Conor McDermott as their starting tackles on Monday. New England is already in rough shape in terms of their depth on the outside, but the team took another hit on the interior Monday.
Second-year guard Cole Strange — celebrating his 25th birthday on Monday — had to leave practice early after appearing to tweak something in his knee. During a drill, Strange was tangled up with Lawrence Guy and had to leave with trainers while walking with a slight limp. Rookie Atonio Mafi took over for Strange as New England’s starting LG on Monday.
With Onwenu still sidelined on the PUP, New England’s offensive line is already running on reserves early during camp.
Fellow O-lineman Chasen Hines later joined Strange in the medical area to get treatment, along with tight end Scotty Washington.
New England did get a bit of a lift as practice went on, as Strange later returned to practice after about 45 minutes. It will be interesting to see how Strange is the rest of the week, as he was clearly limited the rest of the morning.
With both Brown and Strange limited, New England’s red-zone work scuffled for most of the morning, especially in terms of goal-line rushes.
Odds and ends
— Rookie Marte Mapu remains in a red, non-contact jersey as he continues to work his way back from offseason surgery for a torn pectoral muscle. He earned reps at linebacker with the first team during extended stretches of Monday’s practice. He also saw time at safety with the third-team defense.
— Another practice, another strong session for Demario Douglas. Along with earning more first-team reps, he earned a high-five from Bill Belichick for throwing a block on a bubble screen. He may not be the biggest wideout at 5-foot-8, but the rookie more than held his own during his first contact-heavy practice up in the NFL ranks. During 11v11, Douglas broke free from Marcus Jones on an over route, but Bailey Zappe overthrew him.
— Some good blocking from Matt Sokol on a number of drills Monday. He’s making a solid push for New England’s No. 3 tight end spot so far during camp. He’s had some nice catches in the red zone during reps with New England’s second and third-team offenses.
— Rookie Bryce Baringer seems to have a leg up on fellow punter Corliss Waitman during camp. The 2023 sixth-round pick put together some impressive hang times during Monday’s punting sessions.
— Some lapses by the D-line during Monday’s practice. Both Deatrich Wise and Sam Roberts jumped early during Monday’s 11v11 sessions, resulting in both running laps around the practice field.
— Safety Brad Hawkins appeared to suffer a serious injury, as he needed to be helped off the field following a lower-body injury.
— Before New England’s final red-zone session of the morning, Belichick gathered the full team for a huddle. Unclear what the messaging was, but Belichick was leading the impromptu meeting.
— After being largely phased out of passing situations through the first four practices, Kendrick Bourne finally reeled in a touchdown catch on Monday off of a pass from Bailey Zappe.
What’s next?
The Patriots are expected to return for Day 6 of training camp on Tuesday afternoon. After some 9:30 a.m. starts, Tuesday’s session is scheduled to begin around 12:30 p.m.
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Follow along here for all of the latest news, updates, plays and more from Monday’s practice in Foxborough.
LIVE UPDATES:
11:26 a.m.: Red zone drills
At long last, Kendrick Bourne finally has a catch during competitive passing drills.
Jabrill Peppers just brought the thump on a goal-line run, ending the play in the backfield.
11:16 a.m.: Strange returns
Some good news for the Patriots, as Cole Strange has returned to practice. We’ll see just how limited he is.
Both Matthew Judon and Trent Brown are also back from the conditioning field, but they don’t have helmets on.
11:12 a.m.: 11v11 sessions underway
Plenty of reps for second-year back Kevin Harris with Rhamondre Stevenson limited today.
11:07 a.m.: Take a lap
Veteran defensive lineman Deatrich Wise is taking a lap around the practice fields after jumping early during 11v11 drills.
11:03 a.m.: When it rains…
Scotty Washington and Chasen Hines have now joined Strange in the medical area. Plenty of bruises during this first contract-heavy practice.
11:00 a.m.: Rookie Kayshon Boutte had a really nice catch on the sideline. Not sure if had both feet in bounds, but really good control just to be able to reel that in.
10:55 a.m.: Strange working his way back
Seems like Strange is trying to get back into practice after putting his cleats back on and taking part in some stretches. For now, rookie Atonio Mafi is taking Strange’s spot at LG.
10:52 a.m.: Impressive showing so far from rookie Bryce Baringer. Seems to have a leg up on Corliss Waitman.
10:42 a.m.: Strange banged up
Another hit for New England’s O-line. Second-year guard Cole Strange is getting looked at by trainers after taking part in some blocking drills. Seems like he got tied up with Lawrence Guy.
He’s leaving practice, but walking off on his own power.
10:38 a.m.: O-line reps
With Brown limited, the Patriots opted for Riley Reiff (LT) and Conor McDermott as their starting tackles on Monday.
10:33 a.m.: Stevenson also limited
Looks like Rhamondre Stevenson is also heading down to the conditioning fields. Sure seems like the Patriots could use another running back.
10:31 a.m.: Douglas involved again
Once again, Patriots rookie Demario Douglas has been earning first-team reps with Mac Jones today. He also earned a high-five from Belichick for throwing a block on a bubble screen.
10:14 a.m.: Attendance Report
Absent: Ty Montgomery, Jake Andrews, Terez Hall.
PUP: Cody Davis, Mike Onwenu.
NFI: Calvin Anderson.
Back: Kayshon Boutte.
10:12 a.m.: Judon, Brown limited?
Looks like Matthew Judon is heading back to the lower fields for more condition as practice begins to ramp up. Trent Brown also joined him.
10:03 a.m.: Belichick speaks
Some highlights from Belichick’s presser:
With the pads going on, Belichick expects the Patriots to focus more on pass protection and the run game over the coming days.
Belichick had high praise for Trent Brown, who he said is “lighter than he’s been” going into camp. A nice improvement after some conditioning woes during minicamp.
Belichick on if live contact prompts more worthwhile evaluation from the coaching staff: “We expect to do our best every day.”
10:00 a.m.: Quote of the day?
“I think every day is a big day for everybody.” – Bill Belichick
9:43 a.m.: Zappe arrives
The Patriots’ first player on the field? Bailey Zappe.
Mac Jones follows suit. Still waiting for Belichick.
9:36 a.m.: Holding pattern
Bit of a delay to the start of Patriots practice. Still no players out on the field, and no Belichick presser. Waiting for an update.
9:31 a.m.: Attendance report
9:23 a.m.: Checking in
Much better conditions this week in Foxborough, especially when compared to last year’s muggy, 90+ weather. Should help what expects to be a very physical practice.
Bill Belichick is expected to speak soon.
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