5 takeaways from the Patriots’ joint practice with the Eagles
A few things to know about the Patriots' first joint practice of the summer.
The Patriots completed their first joint practice of the season on Tuesday, a physical affair with the Eagles that got a little chippy at the end.
It was an early test against one of the NFL’s best defensive lines, and things did not go well for the Patriots’ offensive line. There were almost too many sacks to count, and the run game had a hard time moving the ball.
Still, Drake Maye got off to a fast start, completing his first nine passes before things went sideways at the end.
Ja’Lynn Polk and Matthew Judon each made a highlight-worthy play. There was a brief dustup during the special teams portion of practice, and also a Patriots player who has been out for a while returned to the sideline in street clothes.
Here are five takeaways from the Patriots’ joint practice with the Eagles.
Play of the day: Drake Maye to Ja’Lynn Polk
Drake Maye had the best throw of the day on a fade route to Ja’Lynn Polk.
Polk got a step on Philadelphia’s Shon Stephens and snagged it with both hands as he crashed to the turf. Polk also beat Stephens on their next rep as well.
Maye looked sharp in the initial portions of 7-on-7s, but the severity of the Patriots’ protection issues reached its peak at the end.
He was sacked multiple times during his two-minute drill and had an incompletion to Kayshon Boutte.
Barmore returns to sideline
Patriots defensive lineman Christian Barmore was spotted walking towards the sideline a good amount of time after practice was already underway.
The Philadelphia native watched his current team practice against his hometown team. He was not available to play, as he was wearing a red hooded sweatshirt and shorts instead of pads.
It was the first time Barmore has been spotted at practice since being diagnosed with blood clots earlier this summer.
“It was good to see him in good spirits, we’re praying for a healthy recovery,” safety Jabrill Peppers said. “It’s always health before anything else. I’m happy that they caught it when they did and hopefully he gets cured so he can come out here as soon as possible.”
Barmore, 25, signed the second-richest contract in franchise history behind only Tom Brady during the offseason, and is viewed as a key piece of the Patriots’ defensive line. It is unclear when he will be able to return.
Brief skirmish on special teams
The Patriots’ first fight of the preseason was a mild one that didn’t feature any ejections.
It appeared to involve New England’s Joshua Uche and Philadelphia’s E.J. Jenkins after a special teams rep. Tempers flared and both teams crowded around the players, but it was quickly broken up.
Not long before that that, Raekwon McMillan landed a hard hit on an Eagles returner that forced a fumble. JaMycal Hasty scooped it up and returned it for a touchdown.
Judon chases down Barkley
Matthew Judon is two days away from his 32nd birthday, but he showed that he can still chase down a big name ball carrier.
Saquon Barkley kept running after a play was blown dead and Judon chased him down from behind and punched the ball out.
Even though it didn’t count as a fumble, the crowd cheered loudly for the effort.
“He does that every day in practice,” Peppers said. “A high motor guy. He is who we need him to be every day we come out here, so he’s going to continue to do that and we’re going to follow his lead.”
Marcus Jones returns, Hunter Henry still out
The Patriots were without top tight-end Hunter Henry again on Tuesday.
Kendrick Bourne was at practice, but remains on the PUP list.
Marcus Jones returned to practice after a couple of absences.
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